How to use figs in cooking
What's the story
If you are a vegetarian, you must be aware of the versatility of figs. Sweet and textured, figs can make any dish delicious and more nutritious. Here, we take a look at some innovative ways you can use figs in your vegetarian meals, and explore their potential beyond just snacks or dessert ingredients.
Dish 1
Fig-infused salads
Figs add a sweet and chewy element to salads that can elevate the overall taste profile. Pairing them with greens like arugula or spinach creates a perfect balance of sweetness and bitterness. Adding nuts such as walnuts or almonds makes it crunchy, while cheese like feta makes it creamy. A simple dressing of olive oil and balsamic vinegar complements the figs' natural sweetness.
Dish 2
Fig-based sauces for pasta
Using figs as a base for pasta sauces adds an unexpected depth of flavor. When you blend figs with ingredients such as garlic, onions, and tomatoes, you end up creating a rich sauce that goes perfectly with whole-grain pasta. Not only do figs' natural sugars caramelize other ingredients during cooking, but they also enhance the complexity of the sauce without requiring any added sweeteners.
Dish 3
Baking with figs: Bread and pastries
Adding figs to breads and pastries provides moisture and sweetness without any effort. By adding them to your doughs or batters, you can get softer textures while cutting back on refined sugars. Fig bread goes well with breakfast spreads like butter or jam, while fig-filled pastries can be a delicious snack.
Dish 4
Grilled figs as appetizers
Grilling figs brings out their natural sugars and enhances their flavor profile through caramelization. Served as appetizers alongside cheese platters or drizzled with honey after grilling, they make an appealing starter at gatherings. The slight char from grilling adds smokiness that contrasts beautifully with their inherent sweetness.
Tip 5
Fig-enhanced smoothies
Adding fresh or dried figs into smoothies boosts both nutrition and taste by supplying fiber along with vitamins like vitamin K and potassium present abundantly in this fruit variety itself. Blending them together with bananas creates creamy textures, perfect when mixed further using almond milk bases too.