Growing up, I do not think I ever saw a fig, but as I got older they started popping up in more sophisticated fair. A couple of years ago, my mom and I were walking around the North Shore of Long Island, and decided to stop for a snack. There was something in the air, the wind blew the wrong way, and I started to cry my eyes out, because I needed to share with her that I was unhappy in Florida. I hated Miami, I wanted to move, I didn’t have any friends, and was lacking direction, and the worst part? no-one knew. At that moment, I felt like such a little girl who needed their mommy, and she was the only one who could talk me through it.
She ordered figs with gorgonzola and after a pep talk, we tore through them, and by the end I felt like a weight had been lifted, from then on, I was hooked on the sweet, soft, versatile fruit. Figs really remind me of that moment, and as I have been cooking with them this week, I cannot believe how far our little life in Florida has come. My modeling career took off at thirty, I have built a network of great people in and out of the health and fitness community, my husband is a rockstar in his field, and I couldn’t ask for a more supportive person, who supports all of my endeavors, and you know what? I have learned to embrace ALL of the good that south Florida has to offer. Even going back to NYC for two months this winter made us realize that Florida is now our home, and most likely will be forever. My cousins are coming to town in a couple of hours, and we are shutting it down for a long weekend of sun and fun. I cherish the times that my family can come down and share our life and home. Although the boys including my cousin John eat like five year olds (two out of three of them are under six), I plan on making these recipes for my Cousin Gina of Mommy Posh. She is the best, and like a sister to me!
So here are my favorite quick Fig recipes. Black Figs were BOGO this week at Publix and I took full advantage. Just make sure they are soft, and if they need to ripen a bit, just put them in a sunny window. Figs have so many health benefits! They can help lower high blood pressure, are high in dietary fiber which can help you lose weight, they can help fight against postmenopausal breast cancer, and like carrots, can help keep your eyesight strong! So keep an eye out for Fig, and let me know what you create!
Figs With Gorgonzola Cheese Appetizer- Serves 4
Ingredients: 8-10 Figs, Approx 1/2 C Crumbled Gorgonzola Cheese, Balsamic Glaze
Directions:Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Wash figs and remove any remaining stem. Slice in hall and place on a backing dish sweet side up. Top with gorgonzola and bake for 8-10 minutes or until cheese is melted. You can also broil for 3-5 minutes. Remove from oven and drizzle with Balsamic glaze. Serve immediately with your favorite red wine.
Fig and Goat Cheese Flat Bread:
Ingredients: 1 large high fiber tortilla, olive oil, 3 Tbs Goat Cheese, 1/4 Sliced Red Onion, 5-8 Sliced Cherry Tomatoes, Balsamic Glaze, Fresh Cracked Pepper and Red Pepper.
Directions: Preheart oven to 375 with pizza stone in the oven. After preheated place tortilla on stone and brush with olive oil. Bake until tortilla bubbles (about five minutes), remove from oven and top with tomato, fig and goat cheese. Bake until cheese begins to melt, about five minutes, and be careful not to burn tortilla. The goat cheese will not melt like mozzarella. Remove from oven, plate and top with torn basil leaves, red and black pepper, drizzle with balsamic glaze.
I use a pizza cutter to serve slices! Let me know what you think, and ‘Get Figgy With It” before summer is out the window.
