Happy National Fig Week!
When most people think of figs, they go immediately to the delicious fruit-and-cake cookie version, but there is so much more to figs than just that. Whether you’re looking for a way to try figs for the first time, or you just want to celebrate National Fig Week with some new recipes, here are several to check out and try this weekend.
Fig Pizza
Let’s jump right into one of the surprising uses of figs: pizza. It is likely not an immediate thought, but this will have a similar appeal to pineapple on pizza. The sweetness of the sliced figs pairs well with the saltiness of sliced dry salami and the sharpness of fontina cheese. Put them all on top of a hearty focaccia bread with some olive oil, sliced onion, and a sprinkle of sea salt for a delicious snack.
Pancetta and Fig Pasta
This is another recipe where sweet figs complement the salty meat. Start with a hearty pasta like bucatini or linguini. Saute 5 oz of pancetta with a clove or two of minced garlic and shallots, then add ¾ cup heavy cream, ½ cup grated parmesan, and the cooked pasta and stir together. Serve and top each plate with quartered figs and chopped basil leaves.
Figgy Bourbon Fizz
If you’re looking for another fall cocktail to try, consider this one. Muddle a whole chopped fig, 6 mint leaves, and 2-3 brown sugar cubes in a cocktail shaker. Add bourbon and ice and shake vigorously. Serve and top with ginger ale.
Lemon Rice Pudding with Figs
This is a nice twist on a traditional dessert. You can use your favorite rice pudding recipe, with the addition of a tablespoon or so of lemon zest in the cooking stage. Once the rice pudding is done, serve it in individual bowls. Top each with a quartered fig and drizzle with Saba, an ancient sweetener made from grape juice.
Bacon-Wrapped Bourbon Figs
This is a great appetizer for any upcoming holiday meal. Start by slowly cooking whole figs in 1.5 cups of water and ¼ cup bourbon until they are plump and juicy. Once they cool enough to handle, cut them lengthwise and stuff with one half of a roasted pecan and a chunk of gorgonzola. Wrap each fig in a slice of bacon, cut in half crosswise, and secure it with a toothpick. Place them on a wire rack in a pan so they can sit up above the grease. Bake them at 350 degrees until the bacon is cooked through and crisp.
Visit Basta Pasta This Weekend!
For more than 12 years, Basta Pasta has given Maryland diners delicious Italian food from local and fresh ingredients. Enjoy delicious pasta dishes, unlimited salad and breadsticks, and fine wine at one of our locations in Timonium, Fallston, Perry Hall, or Eldersburg. Contact us online or give us a call at the location-specific phone number listed here. Read our menu and be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter! If you don’t feel like going out, order our signature crab cakes online and enjoy delicious Basta Pasta from home!