How happy am I to find proof of this. We have our very own fig tree (thanks to our kids) and if you never tried them, rush out and buy some. They are fabulous anyway you want to serve them.
They also help prevent hypertension, osteoporosis and heart disease. They can be eaten raw, wrapped with proscuitto and drizzled with fig balsamic vinegar, baked, stewed, stuffed, jam…..the list is endless.
For the beginner, try this one.
- 2 tbsp. honey (or agave syrup)
- 2 tbsp. brown sugar
- 2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1 tsp. nutmeg
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 4 apples, chopped and peeled
- 10 figs, stems removed
- 1/2 cup granola
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine the first 5 ingredients and mix well in a bowl. Add the apples and figs and mix until all coated in the sugar mixture.
Pour this into a 12 x 12 inch baking dish. Sprinkle with the granola on top. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes, checking to see if the apples are cooked.
Remove the cover and bake for another 5-8 minutes. Let stand for about 15 minutes before serving. Okay, enough of the healthy…a dollop of whipped cream, creme fraiche or ice cream would be lovely. You choose the ‘devil’ for this one. I did my part!!
Baked Figs and Apples With Granola Topping
This is the new ‘comfort’ food. Sooooo good and the granola topping makes it even better.
- 2 tbsp. liquid honey
- 2 tbsp. dark brown sugar
- 2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 4 Granny Smith apples, peeled and coarsely chopped
- 10 fresh figs, stems removed and finely chopped **
- 1 cup granola
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine the honey, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla in a bowl and whisk to combine thoroughly. Add the apples and figs and coat with the mixture.
Grease a 12 x 12 baking dish and pour the mixture in. Sprinkle the granola over the top, cover with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes (until the apples are tender).
Remove the foil and bake another 5-6 minutes. Let stand at least 10 minutes before diving in. You can’t yet….you forgot the vanilla ice cream (or whipped cream) to just add a little more pizzazz!
**Do not use dried figs. They leave an unsatisfactory taste in your mouth.
Parfait With Blackberries, Candied Ginger And Granola
This is a great breakfast fare when you have company for the weekend..be it for a wedding, long weekend get-together, Anniversary celebration….it is sinple, fantastic in taste and showy in presentation. Go for it!
- 5 1/2 cups granola
- 1 cup dried cherries, chopped coarsely
- 2 tbsp. candied ginger, finely chopped
- 3 – 17.6 oz. containers of a good Greek yogurt
- honey
- large plastic, resealable plastic bag
Mix together the granola, dried cherries and ginger together in a bowl and set aside..
In the bottom of your trifle bowl, pour the yogurt into the plastic bag, snip off the corner and pipe a 1 inch thick layer on the bottom of the bowl.
Scatter 1 1/2 cups of the berries on the yogurt layer and drizzle with honey.
Sprinkle 3 cups of the granola over the berries. Repeat this one time…layer of yogurt, berries and honey and granola mixture. Mound 1 cup of berries in the center and drizzle with warm honey.
When we ran the Bed and Breakfast, I would make individual parfait dishes for our guests. They are pretty, have the wow factor and taste so scrumptious.
Chilled juice and pots of freshly brewed coffee. You can also serve with warm-from-the-oven muffins that you also made.
Kitchen Sink Cookies
These are the best! Tied with my chocolate chip cookies…honest. I would not tell you they were great if they weren’t.
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1 cup white sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 2 tsp baking soda
- pinch of salt
- 1 c up good quality white chocolate chips
- 1 cup good quality milk chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup golden raisins
- 2 cups chopped pecans
- 1 cup rolled oats (not instant)
- 1/2 cup granola mix
- 1 tsp. grated orange zest
WHEW!
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Blend the first three ingredients until creamy, and then add the eggs and vanilla. Note: This is the only liquid required so don’t think I have made an error here.
Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt and add to the egg mixture, a little at a time, mixing well.
With the machine on low, pulse it, yes I said pulse it, when adding the remaining ingredients. Do this all at once and it is easier to mix together.
When well mixed, use a 1 inch scoop or shape by hand into golf ball size cookies and bake on a parchment lined cookie sheet for approximately 10-14 minutes. Watch so they don’t burn, should be a lovely golden colour.
You can fill the cookie jar, then put the remaining cookies in a covered container and freeze. You will be the hero when you fill the jar up again after everyone complains the jar is empty.