Sweet Potato Toast With Apple Fig And Maple Compote Recipes

SWEET POTATO TOAST WITH APPLE, FIG AND MAPLE COMPOTE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Slice off the 4 long sides of each of the sweet potatoes so the potatoes are squared off and sit flat on a cutting board. Slice the potatoes lengthwise into 1/2-inch-thick planks, about 5-inches-by-2-inches (you should get 3 planks per sweet potato). Combine the sweet potatoes and melted butter in a medium bowl and toss gently to coat. Spread them out on a baking sheet and roast, flipping halfway through, until lightly browned and tender when pierced with a knife, about 15 minutes. Remove the sweet potato toasts to 2 plates.
• Meanwhile, combine the cider, maple syrup, cinnamon, apples and remaining tablespoon butter in a medium pot over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, then cover and cook until the apples are soft, about 20 minutes. Uncover, mash with a potato masher or the back of a fork and continue to cook until most of the liquid has evaporated and it has the consistency of chunky applesauce, about 5 minutes. Stir in the figs and let cool slightly. Divide the applesauce among the toasts and sprinkle with the granola. Serve immediately.

SOUFFLE PANCAKE WITH APPLE-PEAR COMPOTE

Steps:

• Make the compote: Soak the prunes and tea bags in 1 cup boiling water, 20 minutes. Discard the tea bags.
• Transfer the prunes and soaking liquid to a small saucepan. Add the sugar, salt, vanilla seeds and pod, lemon zest and cognac and cook over medium heat until syrupy, 10 to 15 minutes. Add the apples and pears and reduce the heat to low; cover and simmer until tender, about 15 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and let cool. Cover and chill at least 2 hours or up to 1 week.
• Make the pancake: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Melt the butter in a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Transfer 2 tablespoons of the melted butter to a blender (reserve the rest in the skillet off the heat). Add the eggs, salt and half-and-half to the blender and blend. Add the flour and blend until smooth. Add the orange zest, orange juice and almond extract and blend.
• Heat the skillet with the reserved butter over medium-high heat; swirl to coat. Add the batter, transfer to the oven and bake until puffed and golden, 15 to 20 minutes. Reheat the compote, if desired; discard the lemon zest and vanilla pod. Dust the pancake with confectioners' sugar; serve with the compote.

BAKED BRIE WITH FIG COMPOTE

Steps:

• Combine the figs, orange zest, thyme, brandy, sugar, vinegar, a few grinds of pepper and 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the liquid is syrupy and the figs are softened, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl, discard the zest and thyme and let cool, about 20 minutes. Transfer to a food processor or mini chopper and pulse until mostly smooth.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Unroll the pie dough onto a lightly floured work surface. Roll out the outer 2 inches of dough with a rolling pin to make the edge slightly thinner than the rest of the dough. Put the cheese in the center of the dough and top with the fig compote. Trim about 1 inch off the outer edge of the dough. Pull the dough up and over the cheese, folding and pleating the dough all the way around until the cheese is covered. Pinch the dough together at the top to seal.
• Transfer the wrapped cheese to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush the dough with the beaten egg and bake until golden brown, 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool about 10 minutes, then transfer to a cutting board to slice. Serve warm or at room temperature.

FIG TOASTS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 500 degrees or its highest possible setting. Toast the bread: lay the bread slices directly on the oven rack and toast in the heated oven until golden, 4 to 5 minutes. Place the toast on 4 warmed plates.
• Meanwhile, trim stems off the figs. Slice the figs in half and dip them in sugar, turning so they are well coated. Heat 1 tablespoon of the butter, add the almonds, and saute until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Set them aside. Heat the remaining butter in a skillet until foaming. Add the figs, cut side down, and saute until done, turning once, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Set the figs on the toast and spoon over the pan juices. Top each toast with yogurt and a sprinkling of toasted almonds. Serve at once so the toast stays crisp.

RUBY GRAPEFRUIT COMPOTE

Steps:

• Combine the water, honey, zests, ginger, cinnamon, and allspice berries in a heavy saucepan and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer, until cinnamon is unfurled and mixture is aromatic, about 10 minutes. Strain.
• Meanwhile, cut peel and white pith off the grapefruits and oranges with a serrated knife. With a sharp paring knife, cut between the membranes, catching any juices in a bowl, to release segments. Add the juices to the honey-spice mixture. Put the fruit segments in a bowl.
• Pour the hot liquid over the citrus, add the grenadine or vermouth and stir to combine. Serve the citrus compote with biscotti.