I so enjoy chatting with Matt Swaim, Sonrise Morning Show on Sacred Heart Radio. Today we revisited a popular Bible fruit: figs.
Did you know figs were cultivated thousands of years before Christ was born? Sometimes it’s hard to find fresh figs, so I wanted to share a couple recipes using dried figs. The first is a lovely little tart and the second is an easy recipe from a reader for dried fig jam. I hope you enjoy these holiday treats!
THREE INGREDIENT BLUE CHEESE FIG TARTS
Blue cheese and sweet fig jam tarts are perfect for a holiday party.
Ingredients
1-1/2 to 2 dozen mini tart shells (homemade from pie crust in mini muffin tins, or can use phyllo or store bought tart shells)
1/2 cup fig jam
1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
Fresh minced chives for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400.
Spoon in some fig jam in each shell, then top with an equal amount of crumbled blue cheese. I use 1/2 to 1 teaspoon each depending upon size of shells.
Bake until hot, a few minutes. Check after 3 minutes
Garnish with chives.
FIVE INGREDIENT GIFT GIVERS DRIED FIG JAM
Dried figs are available all year and this jam is a trendy, most welcomed gift from the kitchen.Give with a wedge of blue or Gorgonzola cheese (or goat cheese), and a sleeve of quality crackers or tart shells.
Ingredients
12 or so oz dried figs, stems removed and chopped coarsely
1-1/4 cups or so sugar
1/3 cup quality balsamic vinegar or little more to taste
Squeeze of fresh lemon juice, to taste – start with a couple teaspoons
2 cups water
Enough jars to hold about 24 oz jam – 4 oz jars are nice
Instructions
Put everything in a pan over medium heat. Bring to a gentle boil, then lower to a simmer and cook until figs soften, about 10 minutes. Stir as needed.
Pulse in regular blender or blend with immersion blender until jam has a little bit of texture but with no large pieces.
Put back in pan and cook until it’s as thick as you like. It gets thicker as it cools.
Taste and adjust flavorings.
If it gets too thick, just thin with a bit of water.
About Eating 
Good morning Rita, I was planning on making the fig tarts. I found fig spread at Aldis. Do you think it would work in the tarts?I don’t have time to make your recipe for the homeade fig spread 😦 I am glad you are back on the show. I pray your husband is regaining his strength and stamina. Blessings, Mary Jane Danner
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Hi, Mary Jane,
You sure could use the fig spread. I didn’t even think of that….thanks for letting me know. And we are all getting better here. Prayers work miracles!
Blessings,
Rita
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