So what is the first fruit that comes to your mind when we talk about favorite fruits? Maybe mango or litchis. But what people aren't very aware of are figs. Figs too are one of the summer's favorite fruits. But for those of you who haven't tried figs yet, allow us to acquaint you with them and all the amazing fig recipes that you can try.
Fig RecipesLet's dive in for Fig Recipes
Before we indulge in fig recipes, it is essential that you know all about the fruit. So keeping that in mind, we are sharing a bit about figs.
What are Figs?
The fig is the edible fruit of Ficus carica, a tiny tree in the Moraceae family of flowering plants. It is a Mediterranean and western Asian native that has been grown since antiquity and is now extensively planted all over the world for both its fruit and as a decorative plant.
Each bloom bears a seed, which is protected by an edible pear-shaped pod, which is commonly referred to as the "fruit" of the fig. The color varies with variety, although it might be white, green, red, or purplish-black.
Originating in the Middle East, figs have been grown for generations. Cultivation has extended throughout the world to hot, arid areas, with Greece, Portugal, Turkey, and Spain producing the most now.
Prior to the introduction of sugar, figs were employed as a sweetener in sweets. They can be baked, fried, grilled, or roasted whole. Because the fruit is so delicate and does not store well, dried figs are popular. Fresh figs are pricey due to their limited season and fragile nature, but canned, dried, and frozen figs are far less expensive.
Because the entire fig is edible, you'll want to wash it thoroughly before eating it. While the stem is edible, it is frequently removed due to its dense and fibrous nature. The fig can be eaten whole, chopped, minced, pureed, or cooked if sliced into half or quarters. Baking, broiling, frying, and grilling are just a few of the cooking methods employed. Figs are commonly used as a topping for yogurt, ice cream, and salads and are popular in syrups and jams.
What can be done with Fresh Figs?
Fresh figs are low in calories and make a delicious snack. They also go well in salads and desserts. Fresh figs can also be used to produce fig jam or preserves.
Few Fresh Fig Recipes to Try
The internet is filled with hundreds of recipes, so to make it easier for you, we have curated a list just for you.
1. Shallot-Balsamic Reduction with Fresh Figs and Chicken Thighs
In this one-pot dinner recipe, chicken thighs and fresh figs are cooked in a shallot-balsamic reduction and topped with a shallot-balsamic reduction.
2. Appetizer Bites with Figs and Prosciutto
A simple but spectacular snack that will have your guests swooning! Each delicious bite combines prosciutto, honeyed goat cheese, and fresh figs. Slice and serve with crackers when ready to serve
Few Dry Fig Recipes
The dried fig is one of India's most popular dry fruits. It's high in antioxidants, polyphenols, fiber, and other essential nutrients. A few dry fig recipes are:
2. Bars with Dried Figs and Nuts
This amazing combination of figs and peanuts makes it both sweet and slightly salty making your tastebuds swoon.
1. Cake with Dried Figs (Vegan)
Who doesn't love cakes? And being vegan makes it one of the best recipes for vegans to try. And no doubt that even non-vegans would enjoy it equally!
7 Recipes to Make the Best Put of Summer’s Favorite Fruit
Make the best use of figs with these 7 fun recipes that we handpicked just for you and your loved ones.
1. Spread with figs and onions
With a smear of blue cheese, this is a wonderful spread on crackers or a sliced baguette. It can also be served as a topping on a warm brie wheel. In this recipe, it's critical to use high-quality aged balsamic vinegar.
2. Smoothie with figs
This smoothie is thick and sticky from the figs, making it a yum-yum smoothie for individuals who love figs or want to get rid of this perishable fruit quickly.
3. Tapenade with Figs and Olives
This is a simple gourmet appetizer to prepare. This is something I've taken to countless gatherings and it's always a hit! To the olive mixture, we frequently add some chopped green olives and a bit of extra balsamic vinegar. Cream cheese can easily be replaced with goat cheese. Serve with French bread pieces or crackers.
4. Carrots Roasted with a Calimyrna Fig Dressing
When roasted carrots are covered with a port wine and fig sauce, they make quite a statement on the dinner table. We like dried Calimyrna figs in this recipe since they're a little less sweet than Mission figs and have a somewhat nutty flavour and guess what? It is one of the healthy fig recipes.
5. Fig jam (sugar-free)
These sugar-free fig recipes use only five healthful and straightforward ingredients. Water, fresh figs, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract are all used in this recipe. This tasty and healthful fig jam recipe can be kept in the fridge for up to a week or frozen for up to a month after simmering the ingredients together.
6. Salad of Arugula and Figs with Creamy Gorgonzola
This low-carb fig salad with creamy Gorgonzola and peppery arugula is perfect for a light supper or a summer salad. If you prepare everything ahead of time and assemble it right before serving, it makes for simple summer entertaining.
7. Salad with Pears and Figs
To make the perfect salad, mix the crispiness of pear, pecans, and lettuce with the salty, zesty smoothness of Gruyere cheese, sweet figs, and balsamic vinegar.
Health Benefits of Fig
Fresh figs contain some calories from fruit sugar, but a few figs are a reduced-calorie snack or meal addition. Dried figs, on the contrary, are full of sugar and calories due to the concentration of sugar when the fruits are dried. Copper is a vital element that helps with metabolism, energy generation, and the growth of blood cells, connective tissues, and neurotransmitters, among other things.
Vitamin B6 is essential for your body to break down dietary protein and produce new proteins. It also has an effect on the health of the brain. We hope that you all are excited to try out these fig recipes as they are healthy and delicious. Figs may provide several health benefits. Fig leaves and fig leaf tea, in addition to the fruit, appear to be good for one's health. Dried figs, in particular, may aid in constipation relief.
However, because of their high sugar content, figs may interfere with blood-thinning drugs, therefore dried figs should be consumed in moderation. Fresh figs, fig leaves, and fig leaf tea are all excellent additions to a healthy diet.
Also Read: DIY Mango Recipes And Hacks