Because the leaves begin to fall and the air turns crisp, figs come into season, providing their good steadiness of sweetness and refined earthiness. Whereas many know figs from their look in dried type, resembling within the traditional fig newtons, recent figs are a real autumn treasure. These small fruits boast a young, juicy pulp crammed with tiny seeds, and their flavors are harking back to honey and strawberries.
Past their pleasant style, figs are a dietary powerhouse. A medium-sized fig comprises simply 37 energy, no fats or ldl cholesterol, and gives 1.5 grams of fiber. They’re additionally filled with calcium, potassium, iron and magnesium—important vitamins that assist every little thing from blood strain regulation to metabolism and wholesome weight administration.
Whether or not eaten recent throughout fig season or loved dried year-round, figs can improve quite a lot of dishes with their pure sweetness and precious fiber content material. On this article, we’ve gathered 10 of our favourite fig recipes, good for fall, starting from savory entrees to candy snacks and breakfasts. Every recipe highlights the flexibility of figs, serving to you uncover simply why they’ve been a beloved deal with throughout cultures for hundreds of years.
Flip any dinner into a chic meal with this easy but subtle dish. It begins with plump rooster breast that’s loaded with protein however low in saturated fat. Slice a gap into the rooster and stuff it with a mix of creamy goat cheese, dried figs, and seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, rosemary and balsamic glaze. Whether or not you’re serving this dish to visitors or to your loved ones on a weeknight, make further to freeze and luxuriate in when time is tight and also you need a satisfying dinner.
Get the Goat Cheese Stuffed Hen with Figs and Balsamic recipe.
Put the dietary energy of figs to work in a candy and satisfying bar that’s decrease in energy and sugar than the store-bought model. Step one is to organize a easy filling by soaking dried figs, orange juice, orange zest and cinnamon in scorching water, then whipping them right into a jam within the blender. It’s unfold inside a dough made with oats and almond flour, together with applesauce for moisture and cinnamon for a spark of taste. The bars come out of the oven golden brown on the skin, delightfully gooey inside.
Get the Wholesome Fig Bars recipe.
A well-crafted salad can load you up with highly effective vitamins and deal with your tastebuds to an thrilling medley of tastes and textures. We construct this hearty model with quinoa, the high-protein grain with the nutty taste, and darkish leafy greens like kale and arugula. Crimson onions add a zesty notice, goat cheese brings the creaminess and pumpkin seeds present the crunch. Chopped dried figs sweeten the combination. The flavors are all tied collectively by a do-it-yourself French dressing that includes maple syrup, balsamic vinegar and Dijon mustard.
Get the Fig Salad with Maple Balsamic French dressing recipe.
Retailer-bought jellies and jams are loaded with sugar and sometimes gentle on precise fruit. Do this straightforward various that’s naturally candy, due to dried figs and apricots. All you do is simmer the fruit for about half-hour till it’s mushy, then whip it within the blender to create the graceful texture. Unfold it on complete grain toast or crackers, or take pleasure in it as a dip for apple or pear slices.
Get the 3-Ingredient Apricot Fig Unfold recipe.
Crostini is traditional Italian appetizer made with totally different toppings on small slices of grilled or toasted bread. We’ve created a more healthy model by changing the bread with skinny candy potato slices baked till crisp within the air fryer. This model contains a candy and savory collection of wealthy crème fraiche, crunchy sliced almonds, tart dried cranberries and sugary figs. They’re certain to be a success to your workplace social gathering, e-book membership assembly or every other get-together. Or simply make them for once you deserve a particular snack!
Get the Air Fryer Crème Fraiche and Fruit Candy Potato Crostini recipe.
Fall is prime time for Brussels sprouts, the super-nutritious veggie that turns into tastier and turns crisp when roasted. We pair them with figs for added sweetness after which drizzle them with balsamic vinegar for an extra-rich taste. Serve these at a vacation dinner as an alternative of a high-calorie facet dish or whip them up anytime you need to break up the same-old veggie routine.
Get the Roasted Balsamic Figs and Brussels Sprouts recipe.
Right here’s a pizza you may take pleasure in with out derailing your weight reduction progress. The crusts are eggplant slices baked till they’re agency and evenly crisp. As soon as they’re prepared, prime them with creamy ricotta cheese, zesty pesto, and fig items for a candy and savory taste. You get two “pies” and many satisfaction in each serving.
Get the Ricotta Pesto Eggplant Pizza recipe.
When you’ll want to energy as much as get by way of a busy day, cross on the high-calorie, sugar-laden vitality bars in merchandising machines and comfort shops. As a substitute, make just a few batches of those tasty little nuggets. They’re straightforward to organize with Nutrisystem’s Maple Brown Sugar Oatmeal blended with walnuts and dried figs in a meals processor. All you do is roll the combination into bite-size balls and so they’re able to eat. There’s no baking wanted. You’ll be able to hold the extras in an hermetic container within the fridge for a few week.
Get the Maple Fig Vitality Bites recipe.
Brie is a mushy cheese with a agency rind, and it has a wealthy taste and creamy texture. For a stunning presentation and memorable taste, we prime a wheel of brie with dried figs and easy do-it-yourself fig unfold, dried apricots, walnuts, recent thyme and orange zest. It’s all baked within the oven till the tastes are infused and cheese is melty. Attempt it on apple or pear slices, or on complete grain crackers.
Get the Fruit and Nut Baked Brie recipe.
You don’t have to attend for an important day to take pleasure in this straightforward appetizer. To make it, prime evenly toasted slices of complete wheat baguette with a smear of goat cheese, together with recent fig slices, a drizzle of honey and crunchy pistachio nuts. Serve at a cocktail party or potluck, or simply take pleasure in it your self for breakfast or lunch.
Get the Fig and Goat Cheese Toast recipe.