I’ve been all about challenging myself lately. The great thing is I’ve been able to explore new ingredients and new recipes. The downside is that sometimes it’s not always a winning combination or we just don’t care for the ingredient as much.
Not so with figs.
I love those damn things. I will be 100% honest here and say that up until this week I have never in my life tasted a fresh fig. Dried figs, Fig Newtons, sure. But a fresh fig, never.
Gasp!
Costco had a small flat of figs the last time we went and I just instantly gravitated to it. I had no idea if I’d like them but I’d be satisfied that I at least tried. I had no idea what to do with them, but that’s the amazing thing about Google – you can find just about anything.
By the way, fresh figs are a decadent treat and biting into a fresh fig is indescribable.
I decided a nice spinach salad with a rich sticky balsamic glaze on grilled figs with candied walnuts sounded about right.
Balsamic Glazed Figs
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup good quality balsamic vinegar
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 6 fresh figs
Directions:
- In a medium saucepan, bring vinegar and sugar to a boil.
- Reduce heat to a simmer and let reduce to 1/4 cup – about 10 minutes.
- Keep warm. Note: As the mixture cools it will thicken and get sticky.
- Preheat grill over medium-low heat.
- Cut figs in half. Brush with the balsamic reduction.
- Place cut side down on preheated grill. Close lid and grill until softened, turning once. This should take about 5 minutes, depending on the size of the figs.
CANDIED NUTS
Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup agave nectar
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Pinch cinnamon
- Pinch cayenne
- 2 1/2 cups whole walnuts or pecans
- Preheat oven to 325F.
- In a medium bowl mix all ingredients together and toss in the nuts. Stir well to coat.
- Spread evenly on a greased, foil-lined baking sheet.
- Bake for about 20 minutes, watching carefully. Stir throughout to break up bigger chunks.
Lavender Vinaigrette
- 2 Tbsp lavender vinegar
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1-2 cloves garlic, pressed
- salt and pepper, to taste
- Whisk to combine.
Assembling the Salad:
- 1 package baby spinach
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 recipe Balsamic Glazed Figs
- 1/2 cup Candied Walnuts
- 1 recipe Lavender Vinaigrette
Where can we buy lavender vinegar in this city?????
My lavender vinegar was part of last year’s anniversary present from my hubby. He bought it at Cava Cuisine in the Saskatoon Farmers’ Market. It’s amazing! I highly recommend it.