WHB #160 - mela's dry figs

the round up

welcome to this week's whb,

unfortunately I missed last week beacause of problems with the internet.

sometimes here it seems to still live in the middleage! :))))

sooner or later even Italy will catch up... hopefully sooner than later!

this week we are hosted by scott from the real epicurian

nice to meet you scott and thank's for hosting!!

I wish to thank haalo who's coordinating everything and Kalyn for the fantastic idea!!

do you want to join? please read all about it here and here

dry figs with almond, bitter cocoa powder and laurel in grape juice

this is a delicous recipe from may dear friend mela...

or more exactly mela's mother.

I made only one misstake in doing this...to little!! :)
this figs are fantastic!!
I was attracted of the combination of ingredients...

the laurel with it's strong perfume together with the bitter cacao powder

and the sweetness

of the dry figs, with it's crunchy almond heart, soaked in the fresh grape juice..

this is absolutely fabulous.

so I will not loose your time with other small talk..

you need:

dry figs

peeled almonds

bitter cocoa powder

dry laurel leaves

black grapes
squeeze the grapes using a foodprocessor.

if you don't have one, then put the grapes in little water and cook for an hour or so.

until they are very soft, squeeze with a wooden spoon and put it all,

in a cloth, that you hang over the night dropping in a bowl.
roast gently the almonds in a little pan, qithout any grease.

cut the dry figs in halfs(not all trough) and put an almond in the center.

close and put all the dry figs in a cooking pan,

that can go into the oven.

cook in a oven at 200°C for 15min.

use clean small glass jars, start with some pieces of laurel on the bottom

then put some figs over (use a cookers pincer) and season with the cacao powder.

fill the jar ending with the laurel.

fill with some grape jucie, and the toss and turn,

let the figs absorb, soak all the liquid.

this will take some time.

in the meanwhile go on filling the other jars.

the dry figs can be served immidately, but will better with time.

store in a cool, dark place.will conserve for at least 6 months.

(but I don't think they ever reach that time :)))) )

why not make a Christmas gift? :)

brigidaa_te:

of course you can also use bought grape juice,

please be sure it is with no added sugar.

for the Italian version:

fichi secchi con mandorla, cacao e succo d'uva

grazie mela :-*******