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Recipes from California Fig Advisory Board

Karla Stockli (second photo) and Kris Caputo (top photo) came to Portales to tape lots of recipes featuring California figs. They also discussed how figs have become an important ingredient for food bloggers because of their versatility. I hope you'll enjoy trying some of the recipes they shared with us.

Karla Stockli is the Chief Executive Officer for the California Fig Advisory Board in Fresno, CA.

Black Mission Fig and Prosciutto Pizza

Caramelized Shallots

2 tablespoons butter
5 shallots (about ½ pound), peeled and sliced thin
1 tablespoon molasses
2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
salt and black pepper; to taste

Pizza

prepared dough for 2 small (8 or 9 inch) pizzas*
8 ounces fresh California Mission figs, sliced 1/4 inch thick
8 ounces fresh California Calimyrna figs, sliced 1/4 inch thick
olive oil; as needed
salt and fresh ground black pepper; to taste
1 cup Caramelized Shallots (Recipe above)
2 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
10 slices prosciutto
1 tablespoon Parmesan, grated or shaved
sprigs of arugula; for garnish

Caramelized Shallots
Heat butter in large saucepan and cook shallots until caramelized. Stir in molasses and vinegar; season to taste with salt and pepper. Continue to cook and stir until all liquid has been absorbed. Set aside to cool.

Pizza
Preheat pizza stone or heavy baking pan in 500° F oven for 30 minutes or more. Meanwhile, spread figs on sheet pan or tray; drizzle with olive oil and honey, then season with salt and black pepper. Set aside. Then, on 12x12 inch piece of parchment paper with lightly floured rolling pin, roll pizza dough to about 1/4-inch thick. Brush generously with olive oil and spread Caramelized Shallots over all. Arrange sliced figs about 1/2 inch apart on top of shallots and season lightly with salt and black pepper. Sprinkle goat cheese evenly over all. Transfer pizza to preheated stone and bake, 10-15 minutes at 500° F or until cheese and edge of crust are lightly browned. Remove from oven and transfer to cutting board; let stand and cool slightly. Then, cut into wedges, and garnish with sliced prosciutto, parmesan and arugula. Serves: 9.

Baby Carrots with California Dried Figs & Ginger

1 pound whole baby carrots
4 tablespoon butter
8 California dried Mission Figs: minced or thinly sliced
4 garlic cloves: minced 2 tablespoon fresh ginger (1/4 oz): minced
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
pinch salt pinch pepper
Juice of 1/2 lime

Garnish
Cilantro sprigs

Peel the carrots. Put the carrots in broad skillet so the carrots lay flat. Add enough water to cover the carrots. Add a pinch of salt. Bring the water to a boil, then simmer until the carrots are tender. Carefully pour off all of the water. Return the skillet to the heat. Add the butter to the skillet. Add the minced figs, garlic and ginger. Slowly sauté the carrots with the figs and the ginger until the ingredients are lightly caramelized. Add the chopped cilantro, salt and pepper, and lime juice. Quickly stir to wilt the cilantro. Transfer the carrots to a serving platter. Spoon the fig and ginger mixture over the carrots. Garnish with additional cilantro sprigs and serve.

Note: Alternatively, slice carrots can be used as well. Serves: 4.

Quinoa Salad with California Dried Figs & Wilted Kale

1 cup Quinoa (note: quinoa can be a major or more minor component of this salad)
2 cups water
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 oz. California dried Mission figs, approximately 8 to 12 figs, depending on size
1/2 white onion
2 garlic cloves
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 cups kale: approximately 8 oz before cleaning

Vinaigrette (or your favorite salad dressing)
2 tablespoon vinegar or fresh lemon juice
1 garlic clove: minced
1/2 shallot: thinly sliced
2 teaspoons mustard
1 anchovy: mashed (optional)
6 tablespoons extra virgin oil
pinch salt and pepper and red chile flakes

Garnish
1/2 cup roasted almonds or other nut: coarsely chopped
1/2 cup grated parmesan

Rinse the quinoa under running water. In a pot, combine the rinsed quinoa and the water. Bring the water to a boil, then cover and simmer for about 20 minutes. Remove from heat. Remove the stems from the figs and discard. Thinly slice the figs. Roughly chop the onion and garlic. Wash the kale. Remove any thick ribs and discard. Cut into small pieces. Heat the olive oil in a broad skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced figs, the onion and the garlic. Add the fennel seeds, black pepper and salt. Sauté the mixture until the onions and garlic are lightly cooked. Add the kale and sauté to wilt the kale. Remove from the heat. Allow to cool to room temperature.

For the vinaigrette, combine all of the ingredients in a mixing bowl and whip until emulsified and creamy. In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked quinoa and the sautéed fig and kale mixture. Add a few tablespoons of the vinaigrette and toss. Distribute the salad between serving plates or bowls. Sprinkle the chopped nuts over the salad. Garnish with the grated parmesan. Serve the extra vinaigrette on the side. Serves: 2 large servings or 4 smaller servings.

Caribbean Jerk Chicken with California Figs

Caribbean Jerk Sauce
4 ounces dried California Mission figs; stemmed and quartered
1 to 2 tablespoons Habanero chile sauce or 1 to 2 fresh Habanero chiles, stemmed and seeded
8 cloves garlic, chopped
1 bunch green onions; white part only, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup vinegar
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
4 whole cloves; crushed
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon salt

Chicken Breasts
4 (4-oz.) boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 tablespoon olive oil

Cabbage Slaw
2 cups green cabbage, thinly sliced or shredded
1 ripe mango, diced or sliced
2 cups red cabbage, thinly sliced or shredded
4 fresh and/or dried California figs
1 red bell pepper; stems and seeds removed, cut in thin strips
1 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
pinch of salt, pepper and sugar or to taste
6 fresh and/or dried California figs, sliced for garnish

Caribbean Jerk Sauce
In saucepan, combine all jerk sauce ingredients. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes or until figs are soft. Set aside to cool. Transfer to a small food processor or blender. Add olive oil and seasonings and process until smooth to make a thick sauce. Store in refrigerator until needed.

Chicken Breasts
Preheat oven to 350° F. In large ovenproof skillet, heat olive oil until hot. Sear chicken breasts until lightly browned on both sides. Brush, liberally, with jerk sauce. Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes or until chicken reaches 165° F on a meat thermometer.

Meanwhile, combine all ingredients for cabbage slaw in a large bowl and toss to mix well.

Divide between 4 individual serving plates. Slice each chicken breast into 1/2-inch slices, and arrange on top of cabbage slaw, spooning a dollop of Caribbean Jerk Sauce over each. Garnish with sliced figs. Serves: 4.
 

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