Fig And Pig Recipes

FIG-PROSCIUTTO PIZZA WITH ARUGULA

Steps:

• For the crust: Sprinkle the yeast over 3/4 cup warm (not lukewarm) water in a bowl.
• In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, add the flour and salt and, with the mixer running on low speed, drizzle in the olive oil. Keep going until it's mixed through. Next, pour in the yeast/water mixture and mix until just combined.
• Coat a separate mixing bowl with a light drizzle of olive oil, tip the dough in and form it into a ball. Toss to coat the dough ball in the olive oil, then cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and allow the dough to rise for at least an hour, or up to 3 or 4 days.
• Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F. Arrange the oven rack in the lowest position.
• For the topping: Roll out the pizza dough on a lightly floured surface as thinly as possible Dough should be roughly 17 by 10 inches. Place on a large baking sheet. Drizzle lightly with the olive oil and sprinkle lightly with salt. Spread the fig spread all over the surface of the dough. Lay the slices of mozzarella all over the surface of the pizza crust. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Bake the pizza until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly, 12 to 15 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and immediately drape the prosciutto slices over the hot pizza. Sprinkle generously with the arugula and Parmesan shavings. Cut into wedges or squares and serve immediately!

FIG AND GOAT CHEESE BRUSCHETTAS

Steps:

• Place the orange zest and orange juice in a medium (10-inch) heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, such as Le Creuset. Add the sugar, vanilla bean, and figs to the pot. Cover and bring to a full boil over medium heat. (Don't worry; it may look dry.) Stir the mixture and boil hard for 1 minute, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Lower the heat, and cook uncovered at a full simmer for 50 minutes to 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. You want the little bubbles to be throughout the pot, not just at the edges. After 45 minutes, refrigerate a small amount of the liquid to see if it becomes syrupy. It should be like a soft fruit preserve. Keep cooking just until the liquid starts to gel when cold. If the liquid is too firm, add a little orange juice or water, cook for a minute, and test it again until it's right. Depending on how ripe the figs are, they will probably keep their shape, but it's fine if they don't. Discard the vanilla bean and serve or refrigerate.
• Before serving, toast or grill the bread and spread with goat cheese. Spoon the fig preserves on, then the grated orange zest if using, and serve.

POLISH FIG AND BACON APPETIZER (FIGS & PIGS)

Steps:

• soak figs in hot water for 15 minutes, or until hydrated and soft.
• Trim fat from bacon, so only 1/3 or less of the bacon is fat.
• Bake or fry bacon until half done,edges curl but still soft.
• Drain bacon on paper towel.
• Wrap each fig with bacon and secure with toothpick.
• Broil assembled appetizers in oven, until bacon is crispy, about 5 to 10 minutes.
• Watch it, so bacon does not burn.
• Serve as an appetizer with red wine.
• The coombination of sweet jammy center with crispy salty bacon is a crowd pleaser.