Fresh Fig Compote {Jam}

I have always loved fresh figs and when we lived in the Okanagan, our kids bought us a fig tree for a house warming. So this is the tie-in for the recipe below.

Two nights ago, while skimming some very old cooking shows Don has kept, I found this one and I made it yesterday. It is to die for. Put on a cracker with a beautiful white cheese, and a dollop of this and it makes a wonderful finger food to enjoy OR use as a dessert with a cheese tray, some grapes and this in a bowl. Let your guests make their own up. Easy, inexpensive and ooooohhhhh so good!

• 1 vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped
• 2 tsp. grated orange zest
• 3 1/2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
• 2  lbs. fresh figs

Put the vanilla bean and all the seeds, orange zest, sugar and orange juice in a large sauce pan.

Trim the bottom ends and remove the stems of all the figs and discard. Quarter each one and put in the sauce pan and bring to a rapid boil. Boil hard for 1 full minute stirring constantly so it won’t stick to the bottom of the pan and then reduce the temperature, cover the pot and cook for 1 hour.

Remove the vanilla bean and discard. Let this cool down completely. It will thicken up beautifully.

*Note This recipe was from Ina Garten and it is wonderful. Remember to think ahead and put together all the little finger foods you can prepare and use throughout the holidays seasons fast approaching.