Roasted Figs With Chocolate Espresso Ganache Recipes

CHOCOLATE FIG LOAF CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a 9X5 loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving 1-2" overhang on the long sides. Set aside.
• Sift flours, baking powder, dutch process cocoa powder, espresso powder and salt into a mixing bowl. Whisk together until well combined. Set aside.
• Toss the chopped fresh figs with 2 tsp flour
• Using electric beaters or a stand mixer with whisk attachment, beat the butter and oil together on medium speed until smooth and well combined, about 3-4 minutes. Turn down to low, stream in sugar. Once fully added, turn speed to medium and beat until light and fluffy, 2-3 minutes. Scrape sidesAdd eggs, one at a time, beating on low speed about 20 seconds before adding the next egg. Add vanilla, beating on low until well combined. Scrape sides Beat all ingredients on medium low for an addtional minute.
• By hand, sift in the dry ingredients to the wet, alternating with the milk, starting/ending with the dry ingredients: dry, milk, dry, milk, dry. Stir each addtional until just combined. Gently fold in the flour coated chopped figs. Pour 1/2 chocolate cake batter into the prepared loaf pan. Using a small offset spatula or back of a spoon, evenly spread the batter into the corners. Pour remaining 1/2 batter into the pan. Evenly spread the batter into the pan.
• Bake at 350 F for 50-60 minutes. Check the bread around 45 minutes. Insert a toothpick into the center. If the batter is wet, bake in 5 minute increments, checking each time by inserting a toothpick into the center (close to the center, but not the same part each time). When the toothpick comes out clean and the edges are slighly pulled from the sides, the bread is done. Cool in the pan, on top of a cooling rack for 15 minutes. Using a butter knife, gently loosen the unlined edges from the pan. Gently lift the bread out of the loaf pan using the pieces of parchment overhang. Cool an addtional 45 minutes before topping with the ganache. ***The kind of pan used changes the baking times and outcome of the final cake. This recipe was tested using a light color, aluminum loaf pan.
• Evenly chop chocolate into small pieces. Place in a wide, shallow bowl.
• Heat milk in a sauce pan until just scalding. This can also be done in the microwave, using a heat proof bowl in 30 second increments.
• Pour the steaming milk on top of the chocolate pieces. Let sit for 3 minutes. Add the vanilla extract and salt. Whisk together until smooth and well combined. Let sit for 5 minutes before pouring onto the cooled chocolate loaf cakeOnce on the cake, let sit for 10 minutes to slighly set. Top with fresh figs and almond slices.

ROASTED FIGS WITH CHOCOLATE-ESPRESSO GANACHE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300°F.
• To make the ganache, combine the chocolate, espresso, sugar and salt in a double boiler and heat over barely simmering water. Whisk until smooth. Add the heavy cream and transfer to the refrigerator to cool.
• To make the figs, combine the Brown Butter, honey, and Kosher salt in a bowl and toss with the figs to coat. Place the figs on a parchment-lined baking sheet and drizzle with any remaining syrup. Bake for about 1 1/2 hours, or until completely soft and slightly dry. Baste with any remaining juices.
• To serve, puddle about 2 tablespoons ganache on each of 6 plates and smear lightly across the dish. Top with the figs, about 3 per person. Dust with confectioners' sugar. Add a generous sprinkle of fleur de sel, if you like, and garnish with a mint leaf or two.
• Brown Butter
• Place the butter in a cold saucepan and set on the stove over medium heat. It will soon begin to melt and sizzle. After the butter melts completely, 2 to 3 minutes, it will begin to foam as the milk solids separate out. As these solids drop to the bottom of the pan, they will toast and the butter will take on a brownish color and a toasty aroma. Watch the heat carefully during this time to make sure the solids do not burn, lowering the heat if needed. When the butter stops foaming and is a light brown color, remove immediately from the heat and pour through a sieve or a coffee filter to separate out the solids, which you can discard.
• This will make more brown butter than you need for the figs. Try tossing it with vegetables or drizzling over fish. It will keep, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.