This is a wonderful appetizer all by itself or served with a crostini and cheese platter.
Black mission figs are at the end of their season and I can’t resist coming up with recipes to use them in before they are gone. I thought of this recipe after my friend Alison brought over a simple appetizer of fresh figs topped with Bucherondin de Chevre Cheese.
This is great with a Riesling, Pinot Gris or a sparkling wine like a Prosecco or Rosé.
Recipe: 24
Recipe
- 24 Maple Caramelized Walnuts
- 1 Cup Fig Pesto
- 12 Fresh Figs – cut in half
- Pure Maple Syrup – to drizzle on top – optional
Caramelized Walnuts – (whole recipe)
- 1 Cups Raw Walnuts
- 1/4 Cup Maple Syrup
- 1/8 Teaspoon Sea Salt
Fresh Fig Pesto – (whole recipe)
- 1/4 Cup Bucherondin de Chevre Cheese (Rind optional)
- 1 1/4 Cups (about 7 to 8) Whole Fresh Black Mission Figs – stems removed – quartered
- 1/2 Cup Raw Walnuts
- 2 Tablespoons Virgin Coconut Oil
- 2 to 3 Tablespoons Maple Syrup
Instructions:
Caramelized Walnuts
Add everything in a saute pan (I used a cast iron skillet) and turn on stove to medium heat. Stirring the whole time.
In about 3 – 6 minutes they will start to get sticky. When all moisture is gone, turn off the heat.
Spread onto parchment paper or a baking sheet. Don’t worry about them sticking together, when cooled you can separate them. Wait until they are completely cooled. They will hardened and become more crystallized.
Fig Pesto
Cut the stems off the figs and add everything to a food processor or blender and puree.
Assemble
Cut the figs in half, spread the fig pesto on the flat sides, top with a caramelized walnut and drizzle with maple syrup.
Serve by themselves or with crostini.
Health benefits:
Figs are high in potassium, which helps control high blood pressure. They have a high concentration of fiber that is helpful in digestion, weight management, constipation; helps prevent colon cancer, post-menopausal breast cancer, hypertension, and diabetes. The soluble fiber pectin, helps pull out excess cholesterol. They are also high in calcium that strengthens bones and help reduce macular degeneration. They are very high in antioxidants that are excellent for the liver.
