Figs In Wine Syrup Recipes

FIGS IN PORT

Steps:

• Remove the stems from the figs and cut them in half lengthwise.
• Place a 10-inch stainless-steel or enamel-coated saucepan over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Sprinkle the sugar evenly over the surface. It will melt right away and begin to caramelize and smoke. Immediately place the figs, cut side down, onto the caramelizing sugar. Reduce the heat to low and let the figs cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Do not stir or toss or turn the figs. The figs will naturally release their own juices which will dissolve the sugar.
• Carefully add the port to the saucepan. Keep the pan over low heat until the caramel melts completely and begins to coat the figs. Add the peppercorns, first enclosing them in a tea ball or cheesecloth, if desired. Use heat-resistant tongs to flip the figs over and cook for 2 to 3 minutes more. Transfer the figs to a platter, cut side up, and cover to keep warm.
• Return the pan to medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes, using a heat-resistant rubber spatula to stir and occasionally scrape the bottom to pull up all the caramel and peppercorn goodness that may be stuck there. Remove and discard the peppercorn via the tea ball or cheesecloth or a slotted spoon. The port sauce should be deep purple, thick, and velvety. Remove the pan from the heat.
• Drizzle the warm figs with the port sauce and serve immediately.

FIGS IN MAVRODAPHNE WINE WITH MANOURI CHEESE

Steps:

• Place the figs in a wide saucepan and cover with hot water.
• Soak them for 1 hour.
• Pour in the Mavrodaphne wine and the spices.
• Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for about 30 minutes, until the figs are very plump and tender.
• Remove the fruit with a slotted spoon, and strain the poaching liquid, discarding the spices and any seeds that may have leaked out from the figs.
• Return the poaching liquid to the pot, add honey, and boil until reduced and thick and the consistency of syrup, about 5-7 minutes.
• Slice the manouri cheese into 1/2-inch rounds, carefully so as to keep the pieces intact.
• Place the cheese slices in one overlapping row on a large platter.
• Place the poached figs evenly over them and pour over the syrup.
• Serve immediately, garnish with mint and a discreet pinch of ground cinnamon, if desired.

FIGS IN RED-WINE SYRUP

Steps:

• Tie zest, cinnamon, and peppercorns together in a cheesecloth bag. Bring wine, water, sugar, and cheesecloth bag to a boil in a 1 1/2-quart heavy saucepan, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Boil syrup until reduced to about 1 1/2 cups, 8 to 10 minutes. Add figs and simmer, covered, until soft and plump, 25 to 30 minutes. Discard cheesecloth bag and stir lemon juice into fig mixture. Cool at least 1 hour, then serve warm or at room temperature.

POACHED FIGS IN SPICED HONEY SYRUP

Steps:

• Combine water, sugar and honey in heavy large skillet. Stir over low heat until sugar and honey dissolve. Add allspice, cloves and juniper berries. Bring to simmer. Add figs, cover and simmer until figs are just tender, about 20 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer figs to bowl. Chill until cold.
• Bring cooking liquid to boil. Boil until reduced to syrup consistency, about 5 minutes. Strain. Cool.
• Arrange figs in dessert goblets. Drizzle syrup over. Garnish with mint and serve.

FIGS IN SPICED SYRUP

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Bring the sugar and 1 cup water to a simmer in a medium saucepan (it should be large enough to hold all the figs). Stir as needed to dissolve the sugar.
• Add the half of a cinnamon stick and whatever other spices you choose to use (or all of them!) and simmer the syrup for about 10 minutes.
• Trim off and discard the stems from the figs.
• Put the figs in the syrup. Simmer about 5 minutes. Don't cook them too long, or they will completely fall apart.
• Remove the figs from the syrup and let the figs and syrup cool separately for about 15 minutes (if you leave the figs in, they will soften and start to fall apart a bit, so if that sounds good, leave them in!).
• Once slightly cooled off, strain the syrup, discard the spices, and pour the syrup back over the figs.

FIGS IN WINE SYRUP

Steps:

• Place the wine, sugar, lemon zest and juice, and spices in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer until reduced by half, about 1/2 hour. It should have a syrupy consistency.
• Cut an X into the tops of the figs. If they vary in size, cut the larger ones into pieces about the size of the smaller ones.
• Add the figs to the hot reduced wine syrup and let cool before serving. If refrigerated, bring them up to room temperature before serving.