Five Ways to Use Figs This Fall and Winter

If you’ve never had a perfectly ripe, soft, squishy, oozy fig, you haven’t lived. Okay, we’re being dramatic, but a good fig is one of life’s greatest joys. They can be sweet or savory, they love a caramel or honey drizzle, and you can’t go wrong with cinnamon sugar. If figs are new to you, this can be a little overwhelming, so we put together our five favorite recipes that use figs.

Chocolate-Covered Figs

(image via keeping the peas)

We’re starting sweet and simple with this chocolate-covered fig recipe from Keeping the Peas. You only need three ingredients and 20 minutes to make this decadent snack.

Ingredients:

• 6 fresh figs, cut in half
• 1 cup dark chocolate chips
• 1 tsp sea salt

Instructions:

1. Rinse figs in water and pat dry. Cut in half, removing any stems.
2. Add dark chocolate to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in increments of 30 seconds, stirring in between until melted.
3. Dip each fig half in the melted chocolate, then place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt and allow to sit until the chocolate hardens and sets, 5-10 minutes. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Savory Fig Toast with Caramelized Onion

(image via luci’s morsels)

We love avocado toast, but if you want to branch out, we have just the thing for you: rustic sourdough toast with a goat cheese spread, fresh figs, caramelized onions, and thyme. If your mouth is watering already, check out this recipe from Luci’s Morsels.

Ingredients:

• 1 Tbsp unsalted butter
• ½ medium yellow onion, sliced
• 2 slices sourdough or country-style bread, toasted
• 3 oz goat cheese, softened
• 4 fresh figs, such as Kadota or Tiger figs
• Thyme leaves for garnish

Instructions:

1. Melt butter in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and cook for 30 seconds, stirring them with the butter. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 30-40 minutes, until caramelized and softened.
2. Spread half of goat cheese over each slice of toast. Top each with half of the onions.
3. Slice figs and arrange two figs over each piece of toast. Garnish with thyme before serving.

Fig Balsamic Roasted Pork Tenderloin

(image via skinnytaste)

Don’t mind us; we’re just thinking about cozy comfort meals. Believe it or not, this pork tenderloin recipe from Skinnytaste only requires a few ingredients. Whip up some mashed potatoes and your favorite vegetable side dish, and you’ve got a weekend-worthy dinner any night of the week.

Ingredients:

• 20 oz pork tenderloins
• Kosher salt, to taste
• ¼ tsp garlic powder
• 1½ Tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 2 Tbsp fig butter
• Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375° F.
2. Season pork with salt and garlic powder and place on a baking pan.
3. Combine vinegar and fig butter and generously brush over pork.
4. Roast until the center of the pork reaches 145° F, 25-30 minutes, depending on the size of your pork and your oven.
5. Let pork rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing into 8 pieces.
6. Top with parsley if desired.

Caramelized Fig and Hazelnut Ice Cream Topping

(image via cupcakes & cutlery)

Ice cream is never a bad idea, especially when it’s topped with roasted figs, toasted hazelnuts, and warm spices. Check out this topping recipe from Cupcakes and Cutlery.

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp sugar
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp ginger
• ⅛ tsp cloves
• 8 ripe figs, halved lengthwise
• 1⅓ cups Breyers Natural Vanilla Ice Cream
• ¼ cup blanched hazelnuts, toasted and coarsely chopped

Instructions:

1. Position broiler rack 6 inches from heat source and preheat boiler. Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil.
2. In a small bowl, mix sugar and spices.
3. One at a time, dip figs, cut-side down, in sugar mixture to coat. Then coat figs a second time with sugar mixture and arrange cut-side up on baking sheet.
4. Broil figs, watching closely, for about 4 minutes, or until sugar melts and begins to caramelize and figs soften slightly and begin to ooze their juice.
5. Divide figs among 4 bowls.
6. Spoon ⅓ cup of ice cream into each bowl and sprinkle with hazelnuts.

Fig and Bacon Grilled Cheese

(image via dinner then dessert)

You know what they say: Save the best for last. This isn’t your everyday grilled cheese recipe. This recipe from Dinner Then Dessert is loaded with fig spread, blue cheese, provolone, and thick slices of bacon to create a savory, tangy, gooey experience.

Ingredients:

• 8 slices Sara Lee Artesano bread
• 8 slices provolone cheese
• 2 oz blue cheese
• ¼ cup dried figs
• ¼ cup water
• 1 Tbsp sugar (optional)
• 8 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked
• 4 Tbsp butter, unsalted

Instructions:

1. Add figs to water and let sit overnight or microwave 2-3 minutes.
2. Remove figs and add them to a small food processor. Add water as needed to make a spreadable purée. Optional: Add sugar to the purée.
3. Spread butter on one side of each bread slice. Place bread butter-side down on the cutting board and add fig purée to 4 of the slices. Add blue cheese to the remaining slices.
4. Add a slice of provolone to each slice. Top 4 slices with bacon.
5. Close sandwiches.
6. In a cast-iron pan or griddle on medium-high, add sandwiches and cook 3-5 minutes on each side.