History is thick with references to figs. Historians suspect that the forbidden fruit from the biblical Garden of Eden was a fig and, after eating one, Adam and Eve realised their nakedness and quickly went about fashioning a couple of fig-leaf loincloths. It would seem these juicy morsels have been inspiring carnal thoughts since the beginning of time.
Their saucy influence continued; in the early 1900s, D.H. Lawrence wrote a poem about figs and their resemblance to a (cough) certain part of the female anatomy that would curl your modern day toes*. When I stumbled across it in the library, I glanced over my shoulder to make sure no one could see what I was reading and then I blushed in a way I haven't blushed since Sister Adele’s sex education class with the intercourse OHTs**.
So it seems that there’s something inherently sexy about figs. Perhaps that’s why, when faced with a box of these beauties on their last legs, I made something saucy.
spiced fig sauce
Ingredients:
2 tbs butter
6 figs, quartered
piece of fresh ginger, about three cms, sliced finely
2 cinnamon quills
2 star anise
5 black peppercorns
2 tbs brown sugar
80mls port
1 cup chicken stock
salt
Method:
In a small saucepan, cook the figs, ginger, star anise, cinnamon and peppercorns in the butter for about five minutes or until figs are caramelized. Remove the figs and set aside.
Add the sugar, port and stock, bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the liquid is reduced by half. Remove the cinnamon quills, star anise and peppercorns. Return the figs to the pan and simmer uncovered for a further minute. Taste and season with salt as required.
Serve with steak, roasts or game.
I've always been a blusher. This was particularly inconvenient during my university years, when I discovered my interest in reproductive physiology. There’s nothing like engaging in earnest academic debate, only to have your cheeks betray you and reveal you for the teenage girl you are.
do you blush? (please tell me I'm not alone.)
*Literary types who's phalanges remain unstirred by classic poetry and those who really like figs can find the poem in its entirety here.
**For those under thirty, OHTs were over head transparencies – bits of clear plastic that were projected onto a wall by shining light through them.
Dani from Sand Has No Home says
My nickname in primary school was 'Blusher'. Enough said really 🙂
Amanda, Cooker and a Looker says
You're the winner Dani! Have you grown out of it?
Mumabulous says
I'm blushing right now. Why does this post remind my of that Sex and the City episode where Charlotte dates the guy who insists on ordering the "exotic fruit platter" whenever they are out?
Amanda, Cooker and a Looker says
Ha! I'd forgotten that Brenda. It was all I could do to write the post without making a FIG JAM joke.
Jodie@FreshHomeCook says
Hehe! Feeling like a blushing giggly little teenager myself when I think of that poem & being 'taught' about the sins of the fig leaf lovers back in my school days! I don't just blush, I glow, from the neck up - it's such a pain!
Gorgeous fig sauce recipe Amanda! 🙂
Amanda, Cooker and a Looker says
I'm glad I'm not alone Jodie! x
Robyn (Mrs D) says
Yet another fabulous recipe to add to my list from your blog that I can't keep up with!! Lol, I do LOVE figs and I never did know that they could make you blush :))
Amanda, Cooker and a Looker says
I think it's totally dependent on your own bashfulness. You're the only woman I know who's chatted to Brad Pitt in her pjs, Robyn. I suspect you are immune.
Have a laugh on me says
HA HA OHTs were so much fun, you could whip up things when no one was looking and have a great laugh!! I blush, but rarely, if I do then I'm definitely embarrassed! I'm not a fig fan but a fan of you so that's all that matters! 🙂
Amanda, Cooker and a Looker says
Aww shucks. Right back atchya Em. x
Richelle says
It took me a while to get around to reading this post. The sauce sounds great but I keep cringing at the thought of Sr Adele showing intercourse OHT's!!!
Amanda, Cooker and a Looker says
Richelle, I keep looking back and wondering why they thought the best person to teach sex ed was a nun?!?