Figs

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Ripe figs are delicate and highly perishable. Store them in the refrigerator in a shallow dish lined with paper towels and loosely covered with plastic wrap for no more than three days.

Some ideas for using figs:

• Bacon-Wrapped Figs: Wrap each fig with a piece of bacon. Place figs on a baking sheets and broil, turning as needed, until bacon is crisped and browned. Serve hot.
• Blue Cheese-Stuffed Grilled Figs: Make a slit in the side of each fig. Stuff a bit of your favorite blue cheese into the fig. Brush figs with canola or vegetable oil and grill, turning once, until figs are hot and cheese is melted, about 10 minutes.
• Broiled Figs: Lay halved figs on a baking sheet. Broil until bubbling and starting to brown. Serve with sweet or savory dishes. For a super-simple dessert, drizzle figs with honey before broiling and serve with mascarpone, crème fraiche, or ice cream.
• Fig & Pancetta Salad: Add chopped figs and chopped, cooked pancetta or bacon to a simple green salad. A balsamic vinegar dressing is a good match.
• Honey-Fried Figs: Halve figs lengthwise. Melt a tablespoon each of butter and honey in a frying pan and put figs, cut-side down, in the pan. Cook until bubbling and figs start to brown a bit. Serve with cream, whipped cream, yogurt, or ice cream on the side, if you like.
• Figs With Parmesan & Balsamic: Cut figs in half or wedges. Set on a plate with shavings of Parmesan cheese and drizzle with high-quality balsamic vinegar. Add a few twists of freshly ground black pepper.

Excerpted from “10 Quick Fig Recipes” by Molly Watson, www.about.com.