Рецепт Really Roasted Figs (with a bit of char)
Food
22 Jun 2014
By Greg Henry
All these years in California, I know I should know better. Figs may show up in June, but they can’t (and won’t) always be spectacular until at least July. I know I should know that. But every year I jump the gun. How could I not? After all, a big basket of beautiful looking figs sitting at the end of aisle in my produce section is too big a temptation to me. We all know the end of the aisle is reserved for the good stuff, right? Figs are the good stuff (in July, August and September). Still when June rolls around and I see figs for the first time– I buy them. I buy them expecting late season sweetness. Though that is not always the case. Still, I’m never truly disappointed because I know how to make Really Roasted Figs.
Really Roasted Figs are a great solution to slightly disappointing (early season) figs. They develop a sweetness (much the same as off-season tomatoes) when cooked. You probably knew that. In fact I bet you have eaten Roasted Figs before. You may have even roasted them yourself. They get sweet and jammy and fabulous. They’re terrific on ice cream or granola. But I prefer a more savory version of Roasted Figs.
Roasted Figs
The way I roast figs is quite different than you may be used to. Typically, Roasted Figs are more appropriately called Baked Figs. They’re cooked in an oven set to 375 degrees F. for about 20 minutes. As I said they come out beautiful– jammy and perfectly delicious. Even the early season figs.
However, I like to set the oven to 450 degrees (or more) and let them really roast for about 30 minutes. Watch them carefully. You want them to blister and begin to char as they get crisp at the edges. The juices will caramelize to black and form a bittersweet candy-like crunch. It takes a little longer and you may think you’re burning them, but you’ll be rewarded with Roasted Figs that are both chewy and jammy. Sweet and savory. Really. They make a wonderful warm appetizer drizzled with honey and served with a strong cheese like Gorgonzola. But I’ve also served them with plenty of stinky cheese on top of a rare steak to smiles all around the table. GREG
Ingredients
- 15 ripe but still firm figs
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper (or more to taste)
- crumbled Gorgonzola cheese (to taste)
- crusty bread
- honey (to taste)
Directions
Place the oven rack in the top position. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
Gently wash and dry the figs. Slice off the stem end and cut them in half. Place the cleaned and cut figs into a large bowl. Add the olive oil, rosemary, salt and pepper; toss to combine.
Pour the mixture onto a parchment-lined, rimmed baking sheet. Spread them around in a single layer. Place them so some are facing cut side up and some are facing cut side. The cut side down figs will weep out some sweet juice while roasting, creating a nearly black caramelized candy-like crunch.
Roast the figs for about 30 minutes, turning the sheet halfway through cooking. Watch them very closely as the water content in figs can vary greatly. When the figs are well-browned, blistered in places with crisp edges, they should be finished cooking. Don’t be afraid to let them get right up to the edge of burnt. This creates the char that gives these figs their sweet and savory allure.
Serve the figs warm with Gorgonzola scattered on top, bread on the side, and honey at the table for drizzling.
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