Balsamic Poached Figs Recipes

BALSAMIC-POACHED FIGS

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, heat sugarand 1/2 cup water until sugar dissolves.Add vinegar, orange juice,thyme, and spices and bring toa boil. Reduce until slightly thickened,about 5 minutes. Transferto a medium heat-proof bowl andadd figs. Let cool completely.

ROASTED CHICKEN WITH POLENTA AND BALSAMIC-POACHED FIGS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 300 degrees. Place chicken on a baking sheet and gently peel back skin from chicken pieces without detaching it completely. Heat until the meat is warm and the skin is crisp, about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, combine polenta and water in a medium pot over medium-high heat. Break up polenta with a wooden spoon, then stir continuously until creamy and heated through. Season with salt, spoon onto serving plates, and top with chicken.
• In a small pot, combine chicken "jus," figs, and fig syrup; whisk until combined. Reduce slightly over medium-low heat. Season with pepper. Pour over chicken. Garnish with parsley.

POACHED FRESH FIGS

Steps:

• Spread the sugar in the bottom of the pan, and pour in 1/2 cup water and the lemon juice. Set the figs in the pan, stem up, in one layer. Nestle the strips of lemon zest and the bay leaves in between the figs.
• Set the pan over low heat, and cook slowly until the sugar melts and the figs release their juices. As the juices rise in the pan, gradually raise the heat to keep them bubbling (and "galloping"). When the figs are soft and the liquid level comes halfway up their sides, in 30 minutes or more, turn off the heat, and let the figs rest in the pan for an hour or longer, to reabsorb some of the juices.
• Slowly heat the figs and juices until they're bubbling again, and cook for 30 minutes or so, until the figs are very soft (but still intact) and the juices have become thick and syrupy.
• Let the figs cool before serving. Arrange them in a serving dish if you like, with the syrup all around. Enjoy the fruit and syrup on their own, or atop vanilla ice cream, or with a soft, creamy cheese such as Taleggio or Robiola.