Figs poached in Galliano

Ahhh figs! You like em, I like em – We all like em! Right now (for the Aussies at least) they are in season, and at their most spectacular awesomeness. You may have remembered me talking the other day about dessert wine, figs, chocolate and mascarpone cheese? Well it was a little ironic that the girls turned up with figs, as I had some in the fridge already! And tonight was their night to shine.

[  SERVES: 4  |  TIME: 15 MIN  |  COST: <$5 - 8  ]
[  JOES' RATING: 4/5  |  MY RATING:  4/5 |  BRITTANYS' RATING:  2.5/5]

Ingredients

4 fresh figs
1 cup galliano liqueur (we used vanilla flavoured galliano)
4 scoops ice cream
2 star anise
toasted pine nuts to garnish

Method

1. Cut a X shape into the bottom of each fig that goes about half way into the fig.
2. In a very small saucepan, carefully place the figs so they are sitting up. Pour in the liqueur and add the star anise. Put it on a moderate heat – You want to achieve a rolling simmer, not a rapid boil.
3. When the liquid has reduced by about a half and started to thicken, remove from heat.
4. Serve with a little ice cream, and a drizzle of reduced galliano sauce. Garnish and devour immediately.

Observations

• O. M. G!! That is one dessert that we will remember for quite some time! Joe and I loved it, but the galliano flavour was a bit much for Brittany.
• It is rich, so be warned. The ice cream helps to cut back some of the intensity. It could also be served with some vanilla infused ricotta or mascarpone cheese.
• Diabetic note: To be honest, I haven’t looked. I am going to assume that the galliano is very high in sugars as it is a liqueur. As a result, I just had a small drizzle, and a tiny bit of ice cream. It is definitely a treat food, rather than a staple. Enjoy it by all means, (and please, take my guilt……. I’ve got enough for two!)
• Ethical Note: Please know the source of your produce. Shop locally where possible, and avoid the nasty supermarket chains!

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• Almond and fresh fig tarts (gluten, dairy free) (wholesomecook.wordpress.com)
• Figs with Mascarpone, chocolate and wine! (mizrhi.wordpress.com)
• The Fig. (social4social.com)
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Figs with Mascarpone, chocolate and wine!

Some days are just destined to be awesome, and Saturday was like that for me. After discharging parental duties (aka: Mums taxi), I got out and about taking some (hopefully awesome) photos of all kinds of amazing stuff for an assignment I am currently working on. By chance, I stumbled across this rather amazing scene of some men with their radio controlled yachts at Prospect Lake.

The Yachts are of the international one metre class and are just gorgeous looking.

As I was soon to learn, racing is serious business!

Foiled by duck weed on the keel!

The Ballina Radio Yacht Club sails every Saturday afternoon at Prospect Lake or Chickiba Lake East Ballina. Contact the club for more info on (02) 6686 6242.

So what, pray tell, has any of this got to do with figs, Rhianna? Ok ok, I did get a little side tracked with the boats! It was mid afternoon by the time I got home and was about to go out for more random photos when I got a phone call from the gorgeous Kat and her friend Beth. They were coming to visit and were bringing a gift of figs, mascarpone cream cheese, Lindt chocolate and an orange flavoured dessert wine. Being the gracious host that I am, I gladly allowed them to come visit and we feasted on all manner of goodness.

[  SERVES: 4  |  TIME: 5 MIN  |  COST: <$10 without wine |  RATING:  5/5 ]

Ingredients / Methodology

• fresh figs, cut in quarters to a depth of about half way along the fig
• tub of Mascarpone cheese, spooned generously into the fig centres
• sprinkle of cinnamon to garnish

Observation

• What a fantastic idea / treat! This looks awesome plated, and is sure to impress.
• Diabetic Note: I can honestly say that the packaging for the cheese disappeared before I could read the contents and /or nutritional data. As a result, I am ignorant of how good or bad this may have been for me. It is a treat, and as such, was enjoyed! I did limit myself to one fig and two chocolates though, just in case.
• Ethical Note: Figs are in season at the moment, and are available in many of the larger supermarkets and smaller shops. Check the locality of your supply, and where possible, opt for locally produced.

Related articles

• Did I hear someone say cheese? (cateskitchenadventures.wordpress.com)
• Figs, walnuts, and chocolate (nettleandquince.com)
• The Fig. (social4social.com)