The rich sweetness of Honey Lavender Roasted Figs provides an exotic counterpoint to creamy goat cheese and crispy crackers in this interesting appetizer.
Summer Fruit at Its Best
Figs are at the market again. This week I saw not only fresh Mission figs but Brown Turkey and Kadota figs as well. They make a pretty display. I love their hues of limey green to soft tan and eggplant purple. I also like their curvy teardrop shape. In the box I brought home, I even found one fig that was studded with glistening amber beads of dried juice cascading down its side like a jeweled necklace. Ripe figs blend innocent sweetness and jaded softness in curious ways.
I like most summer fruit best when it is sprinkled with sugar then topped with a dollop of whipped cream. Figs, however, are a different story. Quiet and self-contained, they carry a full rich sweetness all their own. Their flesh has the delicate grainy crunch of a sugar cube drenched in nectar. It sweetens the tart skin to perfection when ripe. No sugar or cream is required to round out the flavor.
Lavender Roasted Figs
Clearly I am drawn to figs. I enjoy them plain but if I choose one wisely, if I am able to savor a single luscious perfectly ripe fig, I am satisfied. Then I am left wondering what to do with the rest of the box.
The problem is a welcome one. The trick is to let go of my preconceptions about summer fruit. While figs are beautiful on their own they are also a worthy complement paired with either savory or sweet ingredients. Figs are delicious in a fruit tart or paired with chocolate. Halved figs make a wonderful addition to salads. They also add an exotic counterpoint to salty nuts, or the sharp flavors of cheese, onion and red pepper. One of my favorite treats of the past few summers has been a flatbread topped with those savory ingredients and punctuated with figs. The combination is unexpected, pretty and delicious.
This summer I searched out a few other ideas as well. In this simple recipe, halved figs are drizzled with honey and balsamic vinegar. Then they are sprinkled with crushed lavender and roasted in a hot oven. Served with creamy goat cheese and crispy crackers, Honey Lavender Roasted Figs are another beautiful way to savor this summer’s bounty of figs.
Honey Lavender Roasted Figs
Course: AppetizersCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy8
servings5
minutes15
minutes20
minutesThe rich sweetness of Honey Lavender Roasted Figs provides an exotic counterpoint to creamy goat cheese and crispy crackers in this interesting appetizer.
Ingredients
8 ripe figs
1 Tablespoon honey
1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Several sprigs of culinary lavender (I used Hidcote lavender)
salt and freshly ground pepper
Goat Cheese
Crackers
Directions
- Place fig halves, skin side down, on a baking dish. sprinkle with balsamic vinegar and drizzle with honey. Nestle lavender sprigs among the fig halves and/or scatter over top.
- Sprinkle all with a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Roast figs at 400F for 10 – 15 minutes.
- Arrange fig halves on serving tray. Drizzle with any juice from the pan and sprinkle with the cooked lavender bits.
- Serve wiith goat cheese and crackers. First smear the cracker with cheese then place a fig half on top.
- Enjoy!
Heather and Gypmar – Update! Proving myself wrong, I just saw a big assortment of figs for sale at Whole Foods in the 'Couv. There were Black Mission figs, Brown Turkey figs, and Calimyrna figs (green). I suppose it is officially the season. Enjoy!
Ivy – You are so sweet. 🙂 These figs would be perfect for you!
Kate – "Lavender and Honey" just sounds great together doesn't it?
Grace – It's funny how roasting makes so many things taste better, sometimes in unexpected ways.
Nicisme – Thanks! They are wonderful. I hope you'll try them.
Pam – Sounds like a great ideal! I hope you have better luck with you figs than I do with my blueberry bushes.
Heather and Gypmar – I hardly ever see figs for sale around here except at the Camas Produce Market. At the Camas Farmer's Market, Truly Scrumptious sometimes sells their flatbread with figs on it but I haven't seen fresh figs for sale. My strategy was to buy that fabulous honey at the market and then pick up the figs at Camas Produce on the way home.
Oh, rats. I was already kicking myself for forgetting to go to the farmer's market this week and now I have to kick even harder.
These look fantastic.
I have yet to see figs at the downtown Vancouver farmer's market but will keep my eye out. I rarely eat them but when I do it's love.
I finally planted a little fig treet his summer. I have high hopes and dreams for it!
Oh wow, that's an amazing combo! I can almost smell the lavender and figs.
fresh figs are SO pretty, yet i had no idea you could make them even more gorgeous and appetizing simply by roasting them. this is lovely!
Your figs look lovely! I like the idea of lavender and honey!
Lisa,
I know we only know eachother through blogging but, you are one of my favorite people. 🙂
P.S. The figs look delicious-what a yummy combo. Pics are gorgeous!