Figs In Brandy Recipes

Steps:

• Wash figs a few at a time by quickly dipping them in a bowl of cool water. (Do not soak.) Place in a single layer on a kitchen towel; drain. Sprinkle 3/4 cup sugar evenly in a wide nonreactive pot. Top with figs, then sprinkle with remaining 3/4 cup sugar. Cover; refrigerate at least 12 hours and up to 2 days.
• Place pot over low heat, uncovered, and bring figs to a bare simmer. (Tilt pan from side to side or swirl a bit to help sugar dissolve, but do not stir, or fruit may get damaged.) Partially cover and simmer 10 minutes; remove from heat. Cover; let stand 4 hours.
• Repeat step 2 twice; figs should turn translucent in final simmering stage. (If necessary, allow to simmer longer than 10 minutes in final simmer, until they do.)
• Carefully spoon hot figs into hot sterilized canning jars (ideally pint-size or smaller). Bring syrup to a boil, skimming any scum that rises to surface. Turn off heat; stir in brandy. Taste; add more brandy as desired. Pour hot syrup over fruit to cover. Seal and process in a hot-water bath 10 minutes. Figs can be stored in a cool, dark place up to 1 year.

Steps:

• Drain the figs, then transfer to a 4 quart saucepan and cover with 6 cups of water. Bring water to a boil over high heat and cook for 15 minutes. Add the sugar, stirring with a wooden spoon to combine and return to a boil; boil for 2 minutes. Add 1 cup brandy. Bring mixture back to a boil, then remove from heat and set aside.
• Using a slotted spoon, remove figs from saucepan and pack into sterilized 1 pint canning jars. Pour syrup over leaving 1 inch head space. Wipe rims and screw canning bans on tightly.
• Boil in water bath for 20 minutes. Turn off heat and let sit for 5 minutes. Remove from water and let cool and check seals.

Steps:

• If preserving the figs, sterilize four 1-pint heat-tempered canning jars (see Know-how, page 291).
• Rinse and drain 2 pounds firm ripe fresh figs and trim the stem ends.
• Place 2 cups sugar, 2 cups brandy, 1 cup water, 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, 1 tablespoon whole cloves, a pinch of kosher salt, and the juice of 1 lemon in a large pot over medium heat and bring to a boil. Boil for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture begins to get syrupy.
• Add the figs, reduce the heat to a simmer, and continue to cook for 5 minutes longer.
• For refrigerator figs, pack in airtight containers and refrigerate until ready to serve, or for up to 1 month.
• For preserved figs, pack the hot figs and their syrup in the sterilized jars and seal using the hot-pack method (see Know-how, page 291). Let cool to room temperature, check the seal, and store in a cool, dark place until ready to serve, or for up to 6 months. Refrigerate after opening.
• On the Side
• Brandied figs make a sophisticated topper for everything from vanilla ice cream, to Buttermilk Panna Cotta (page 358), to Granny Foster's Simple Pound Cake (page 314), to Carolina Rice Pudding Brûlée (page 357), to Buttermilk Waffles (page 91).

Steps:

• 1. Drain the figs, then transfer to a 4-quart saucepan and cover with 6 cups water. Bring water to a boil over a high heat and cook for 15 minutes. Add the sugar, stirring with a wooden spoon to combine, and return to a boil; boil for 2 minutes. Add 1 cup brandy. Bring mixture back to a boil, then remove it from the heat and set aside. 2. Place four 1-pint canning jars along with their bands and lids in a 6-quart pot of boiling water and leave for 30 seconds. With tongs, transfer the jars, bands, and lids to a kitchen towel on the counter. Let air-dry. When the jars are dry, add 1/4 tsp. citric acid to each. Using a slotted spoon, remove the figs from the saucepan and pack them into the jars. Then pour the brandy syrup over the figs, leaving 1" of space below the rims of the jars. (Pour in more brandy if the syrup does not reach the top of the figs.) Wipe the rims of the jars with a hot damp towel. Cover and seal each jar with a lid and screw the bands on tightly. 3. Place the jars in a large pot fitted with a rack; pour in enough water to cover the jars by at least 3". Bring to a boil over high heat; boil for 20 minutes. (When using this recipe at altitudes of 1,001 to 6,000 feet, add 20 more minutes of processing time; above 6,000 feet, add another 5 minutes.) Turn off the heat; let sit for 5 minutes. Transfer jars to a kitchen towel and let cool for 6 hours. Check the seals and store in a cool, dark place for up to 1 year. Refrigerate after opening

Steps:

• Clean and sterilise a large kilner jar.
• put in the sugar, figs and honey.
• pour in a full bottle of brandy.
• mix around, seal and leave in the fridge for about a month.
• Then drain the liquid into a bottle (through a fine sieve/filter if you want).
• save the figs for cooking (but remember they are laced with brandy !).