Figs can be a bit on the intimidating side as far as fruit goes but never fear, they’re actually quite easy to work with. This fruit is extra sweet and has a nice, mild flavor that won’t overpower the dish, only enhance it. Plus, they’re absolutely beautiful which makes them the perfect salad topper or garnish to fancy things up a bit. In all, there really isn’t a single thing this Colorado culinary school doesn’t love about figs except that once October rolls around, it’s nearly impossible to find them at the market. So, be sure to take advantage of the last month of prime fig season with these creative dish ideas. You can thank us later!
Marinated Fig Salad
Figs are one of the best fruits to marinade. They’re soft enough to soak up all that flavorful goodness but tough enough to not get
dreadfully soggy. We recommend doing a red wine or balsamic vinaigrette for the marinade and letting the figs soak for at least 30 minutes but no longer than 2 hours—don’t want them getting mushy. Throw the figs on some mixed greens and toss on goat
cheese and crumbled bacon or fresh mozzarella and prosciutto. This salad is dressed to impress in every way.
Stuffed Chicken
Stuffed chicken is one of our favorite ways to introduce fun ingredients. There are so many ways you can play around with beloved cheese and vegetables and, of course, fruit! We even love to stuff chicken with nuts. When it comes to figs, they go well with just about anything. You could pair them with crumbled bacon and gorgonzola or caramelized onions and goat cheese. Man, we’re getting hungry just thinking about it!
Fig Salsa
Figs have a similar texture to tomatoes which makes them absolutely perfect for a new take on salsa. Chop the figs into one inch cubes and throw in some green onion, fresh parsley, a splash of red wine vinegar and some salt & pepper. Voila, a simple take on
salsa that goes great with baked chicken or big, juicy grilled steaks. Or, going a more traditional direction, you can do figs, red onion, mint, lime and a drizzle of balsamic for a unique take on our favorite Mexican condiment. Pair the last with a grilled fish or some chicken tacos for a superb sweet & savory meal.
Fig Galette
It’s no secret, the galette is one of our go-to appetizers, dinners and desserts. These things can be anything you want them to be. And we mean anything. Figs are one of our favorite things to throw into a galette because you can make them sweet or nice and savory. For a dessert galette, you could do fig jam, honey and fresh figs for a simple and rustic take on dessert that teeters on the side of healthy (gasp!). Or, on the other side of that, you could pair fresh figs with goat cheese, honey and chopped walnuts for a savory version that will disappear before your very eyes.
Bacon Wrapped Figs
The simplest and perhaps most delicious recipe on the list, bacon wrapped figs are about as easy and delicious as you get. Cut the figs in half, wrap them in bacon, secure it with a toothpick and pop them in the oven until the bacon is nice and crispy. If you’re looking for an easy starter, this is the ultimate option. It’s about as easy as gourmet can be!
