Fresh Figs And Pears With Rosemary Syrup Recipes

BAKED VANILLA PEARS WITH FIGS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees. Split vanilla bean lengthwise and set one half aside. Scrape seeds from other half into a small saucepan, and add the pod, 1/4 cup sugar, and the water. Bring to a boil, then simmer 10 minutes to infuse vanilla flavor into syrup. Strain and set aside.
• Peel pears, and cut in half lengthwise, leaving stems on. Cut out core, scooping out a little extra flesh. Trim off a little flesh on round side so that halves will lie nicely on a plate.
• In a large saute pan over medium heat, melt butter. Add remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, and stir until melted. Add pears, cut side down, and cook until brown, shaking pan occasionally. Turn over and cook a few minutes more. Transfer to a baking dish, and pour vanilla syrup over pears. Add other half of vanilla bean. Slice figs lengthwise and put 1 or 2 slices in center of each pear. Spoon a little syrup over figs and bake until soft and tender, about 30 minutes, depending on ripeness of pears. Serve hot or warm.

FRESH FIGS AND PEARS WITH ROSEMARY SYRUP

Steps:

• Combine the sugar, wine, rosemary leaves, bay leaf, peppercorns and balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Lower the heat. Simmer for 10 minutes. Strain and refrigerate until chilled.
• Mascerate the figs in the chilled syrup for 1 hour before serving.
• To assemble, alternate the fig and pear slices on each of 4 chilled dessert plates. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of the rosemary syrup over the fruit and garnish with the sprigs of fresh mint. Serve with hazelnut biscotti (see recipe below).

BALSAMIC CHICKEN & PEARS

Steps:

• Sprinkle chicken breasts with salt and pepper. In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook until a thermometer reads 165°, 8-10 minutes. Remove., Meanwhile, stir together next 5 ingredients until blended. Pour into skillet; add pears and dried cherries. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; reduce heat and simmer, covered, until pears are tender, about 5 minutes. Return chicken to skillet; simmer, uncovered, until heated through, 3-5 minutes. If desired, sprinkle with additional minced rosemary.

HOMEMADE FIG SYRUP FOR COCKTAILS

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat until simmering. Reduce heat to low so that the syrup is barely simmering and stir occasionally for 15 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the mixture steep and cool. Strain, reserve the candied figs for appetizers or toppings on ice cream or baked goods. Store the fig simple syrup in the fridge for 3-4 weeks.

ROSEMARY SIMPLE SYRUP

Steps:

• Combine water, sugar, and rosemary leaves in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Simmer for 1 minute. Remove from heat and let syrup steep, about 30 minutes.
• Pour syrup into a sterilized glass jar through a mesh strainer to remove rosemary leaves; let cool.

PEAR MARTINI WITH LEMON AND ROSEMARY

Steps:

• For rosemary syrup:
• Bring sugar and water to boil in small saucepan, stirring to dissolve sugar. Add rosemary sprigs. Reduce heat and simmer 2 minutes. Cool mixture completely. Discard rosemary.
• For martini:
• Mix rosemary syrup, vodka, lemon juice, and brandy in large pitcher. Cover pitcher with plastic wrap and place in freezer until mixture is cold, about 3 hours. Remove pitcher from freezer; add ice cubes. Stir briskly to melt ice partially. Strain mixture into chilled Martini glasses. Garnish each glass with rosemary sprig.

ROASTED BRUSSELS SPROUTS WITH PEARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°. Place Brussels sprouts in a 15x10x1-in. baking pan; toss with oil, salt and pepper. Roast 20 minutes, stirring halfway. Add pear and walnuts to pan. Roast until Brussels sprouts are lightly charred and tender, 15-20 minutes., Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, bring vinegar to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until syrupy, 8-10 minutes., In a large bowl, combine Brussels sprouts mixture, balsamic syrup and rosemary; toss to combine.