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I will be giving more attention to this blog soon, but in the meantime check out http://www.mydailyfind.com/food/recipes-food for new recipes like the ones below and
http://www.mydailyfind.com/food/the-weekend-cocktail.

The end of fig season

While at the open-air market this week much to my surprise and delight there were an abundance of figs. It is almost the end of the season so go out and grab them quick! My daughter was so excited that she made me buy more than I thought I could use in a week. Her enthusiasm was so intoxicating that we raced all the way around to the back of the market to get prosciutto then round again to get goat cheese. We drove to the park and feasted. We went home and for dinner I tossed figs with mixed greens and chicken with a maple syrup balsamic dressing. Then we devoured the rest over vanilla bean ice cream! Figs are an odd fruit. The season for fresh figs is very short. Thankfully they are available dried year round. When I first moved to L.A and finding my way in the culinary world I had a neighbor who was an avid gardener. This time of year he would bring me buckets of these little gems and I had not a clue what to do with them. I called every foodie that I knew and got very little support. I started playing and creating. Figs became a part of my late summer menus. Because they are so festinating to look at I often use them whole as displays on my tables. Then I have lots around to create more wonderful dishes! So I say hurry up to the open-air market, the grocery store and grab some figs and make some of these recipes your own!


Fig and Orange Chicken
This is one of my most popular chicken dishes! It is so simple and is really a one-meal dish.

1 red onion, coarsely chopped
1/2-cup currants
10 Black Mission figs or 8 of the larger, amber-colored Calimyrna figs, cut into halves
1 1/2 cups orange juice
4 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce,
1-tablespoon curry powder
1-tablespoon soy sauce
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
3 pounds chicken pieces or 6 boneless breasts
10 New potatoes, quartered
4 carrots, sliced
Salt and pepper to taste


Place washed chicken, carrots and potatoes in Pyrex or roasting pan. In a medium bowl mix the rest of the ingredients. Pour over chicken and bake at 400 for 35-40 minutes basting at least twice during cooking.


Fettuccine with Figs and Pancetta
I love the sweet savory flavors in this pasta. The rosemary gives it a beautiful finish.

1 cup pancetta, finely chopped
1 small red onion, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 sprig rosemary, finely chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup dry white wine
1-cup chicken stock
3/4 lb firm-ripe fresh figs, trimmed and quartered lengthwise
2 tablespoons parsley, finely chopped
Juice of one lemon
1-pound fettuccine


In a large sauté pan heat oil. Add pancetta and sauté for 2 minutes. Add the onion, garlic and rosemary and sauté for 5 minutes longer. Stir in wine and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and stir in stock, figs, parsley, half of pancetta, and lemon juice.
Cook fettuccine in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Reserve 1/2-cup cooking water, and then drain pasta in a colander.
Add fettuccine to fig mixture with 1/4 cup reserved cooking water and salt and pepper to taste. Heat over low heat, tossing gently and adding more cooking water if mixture becomes dry, until just heated through.
Serve pasta with the remaining pancetta and freshly shaved Parmesan on top.

Cranberry Fig Chutney
2 cups cranberries
2 cups Calimyrna figs, sliced
1 red onion, chopped
2 inches ginger minced,
1 cup packed brown sugar
1-cup water
1/3-cup balsamic vinegar
Juice of one lemon
1/2-teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

Combine all ingredients. Heat to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, 30 minutes.
Chill in the refrigerator about 4 hours or up to 2 days.

Fig and Pecan Muffins


1-cup flour
1/2-cup whole-wheat flour
1/2-cup oat bran
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
2 teaspoons baking powder
1-teaspoon baking soda
1/2-teaspoon salt
2 cups dried Black Mission figs, chopped
1-cup pecans, chopped
1/2 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
1/3-cup canola oil
2 large eggs
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
1-tablespoon vanilla extract
1 zest of one small lemon


Preheat oven to 400°. Line 12 muffin cups with paper liners. Spray liners with Bakers Joy. Whisk first 8 dry ingredients in bowl. Stir in figs and pecans. Whisk sugar and oil in large bowl. Whisk in eggs, then buttermilk, vanilla, and lemon peel. Mix in dry ingredients. Divide batter among cups.
Bake muffins until browned on top and tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Cool on rack.

Oatmeal Cookies with figs and Cranberries

These are really a traditional, rich, buttery cookie. The figs and cranberries give it a classy twist.
1 3/4 cup flour
3/4-cup baking soda
3/4-cup baking powder
1/2-tablespoon salt
1-teaspoon cinnamon
1/2-teaspoon nutmeg
2 sticks butter
1/4-cup sugar
1 1/2 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
3 teaspoons vanilla
3 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
1cup-dried cranberries, chopped
1 cup dried figs, chopped

Pre-heat the oven to 350. In a large mixing bowl beat the butter, sugars, eggs and vanilla on medium speed until light and fluffy. In another bowl whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg. Add to the butter mixture until blended and smooth. Add oats and fruit. Spray cookie sheets with bakers joy and drop a tablespoon of dough spacing about 3 inches apart. Bake until lightly brown and firm about 10 minutes. Cool on racks.