Glaceed Figs Recipes

Steps:

• Halve 2 cups fresh figs and place in a small pot with 2 strips lemon zest and 2 tablespoons each red wine, water and brown sugar. Cook over low heat, stirring, until the figs are soft, 20 to 25 minutes.

Steps:

• Cut stems off figs, wash, prick well all around with fork. Place water, sugar and vinegar in saucepan, stir until sugar dissolves.
• Bring to the boil. Place figs in boiling syrup, reduce heat, simmer very slowly, uncovered 21/2 to 3 hours.
• Drain figs, place on fine wire rack and stand on oven tray.
• Place in dehydrator set at 140°F or 60°C and dehydrate for 24 hours, turning every few hours. They may not take quite as long depending on size of figs and where they are in the dehydrator.

Steps:

• Using a paring knife, carefully peel figs. Leave stem attached. Bring water and 2 cups sugar to a boil in a small saucepan, stirring until sugar dissolves. Add figs, and return to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, and cover partially. Cook at a very low simmer for 15 minutes. Return to a boil, then reduce to a very low simmer for 15 minutes more.
• Add remaining 1/2 cup sugar, stir gently, and cook until sugar dissolves. Simmer, undisturbed, until figs are translucent and tender but maintain their shape, about 45 minutes. Let cool in syrup. Drain figs on a wire rack before using.

Steps:

• Place the dried shiitakes into a small bowl and cover with hot water for about 30 minutes to allow them to re-hydrate.
• Rinse the chicken to remove any residue and pat dry with paper towels. Rub the mesquite seasoning onto all the chicken parts. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large saute pan, brown the chicken on all sides and place on a baking sheet. Transfer the chicken to the oven and bake until the juices run clear and the chicken is fork tender, about 35 minutes. Remove from oven and let rest.
• While the chicken is in the oven, prepare the tomato demi-glace.
• Heat the canola oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat and saute the red onion, celery and garlic until they begin to caramelize lightly, being careful not to burn them. Deglaze the pan with the red wine, and when most of the alcohol has evaporated, add the vegetables, stock, tomatoes, parsley leaves, and thyme. Return to a gentle boil and let the liquid reduce by half, then strain into a small bowl.
• Strain the mushrooms through paper towels to reserve the soaking liquid. Use 1/2 cup of the mushroom soaking liquid in a small saucepan to make the sauce by whisking in the demi-glace. Heat for a few minutes to let the flavors integrate. Remove from heat and fold in the mushrooms.
• Cut the figs in half lengthwise. Arrange the chicken on serving dish, spoon some sauce on top and garnish with figs.

Steps:

• For the cream: In an electric mixer whip the mascarpone until smooth. Continue whipping and slowly add the cream in a steady stream. Add the sugar and whip for 3 minutes.
• For the figs: In a small pot combine the orange juice, balsamic vinegar, sugar, and zest.
• Boil over high heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Preheat the broiler.
• Toss the figs with the glaze and spread, cut side up, in a single layer on a baking sheet.
• Cook under the broiler for 6 to 8 minutes, until lightly caramelized. Serve the warm figs with the mascarpone cream and toasted walnuts.

Steps:

• Leaving peel on, cut oranges into 1/4-inch rounds, then cut each round into a half-moon.
• Bring sugar and 2 cups water to a boil in a large pot, stirring occasionally, until sugar dissolves. Wash down sides of pot with a wet pastry brush to prevent sugar crystals from forming. Add orange slices to boiling syrup; reduce heat. Cover with parchment, and gently simmer until orange slices are soft and glazed, about 1 hour and 45 minutes.
• Using a slotted spoon, transfer peel to a wire rack set on a rimmed baking sheet. Let dry until just slightly tacky, about 5 hours. Store in an airtight container for 2 days.

Steps:

• Line large baking sheet with foil. Wipe fruits clean. Insert 1 skewer halfway into each fruit (excluding grape clusters).
• Combine sugar and water in heavy medium 4-inch-deep saucepan. Stir over medium-low heat until sugar dissolves. Add corn syrup and ginger. Increase heat and bring to boil, occasionally brushing down sides of pan with wet pastry brush. Attach candy thermometer to saucepan. Boil without stirring until syrup is golden amber color and candy thermometer registers 340°F, swirling pan occasionally, about 20 minutes. Remove pan from heat.
• Holding skewer, carefully dip 1 fruit into hot caramel, coating completely. Hold fruit over pan, allowing some of excess caramel to drip off. Place fruit, still on skewer, on foil-lined sheet. Repeat dipping with remaining fruits and caramel. Hook stem end of each grape cluster in tines of fork; dip into caramel to coat. Place on prepared sheet. If necessary, carefully tilt pan to submerge fruits in caramel. (Can be prepared ahead. Cranberries, strawberries and orange segments can stand at room temperature up to 6 hours. Kumquats, dried apricots and grape clusters can be refrigerated uncovered overnight.)

Steps:

• Make the cakes: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter two 8-by-2-inch round cake pans, then line with parchment. Butter parchment, and dust pans with flour, tapping out excess. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
• Cream butter and 1 cup granulated sugar with a mixer until light and fluffy. Add vanilla seeds.
• With mixer on low speed, add flour mixture, alternating with milk, starting and ending with dry ingredients. (Scrape down sides as needed.)
• Whisk whites with a mixer on high speed until soft peaks form. Slowly add remaining 3/4 cup granulated sugar, beating until stiff, glossy peaks form. (Do not overbeat.) Whisk 1/3 of the whites into batter, then carefully fold in remaining whites.
• Divide batter between pans. Bake until testers inserted in centers come out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool in pans on wire racks for 15 minutes. Run a knife around edges of pans to loosen cakes. Invert cakes onto wire racks, and let cool.
• Make the brandy simple syrup: Bring granulated sugar and water to a boil in a small saucepan, stirring until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat, and stir in brandy. Let cool.
• Make the mincemeat: Combine everything except the Cognac in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, stirring often, then cover and reduce heat to low. Cook, stirring occasionally, until dried fruits are soft and beginning to break down, about 30 minutes. Stir in Cognac, and cook for 5 minutes more. Let cool.
• To assemble the cake: Whisk 1 1/2 cups cream until soft peaks form. Trim tops of cakes to create flat surfaces. Slice each cake in half horizontally. Place 1 layer on parchment, cut side up, and brush with simple syrup. Spread with 1 cup cooled mincemeat and 1 cup whipped cream. Top with another cake layer, cut side up. Brush with syrup, and top again with mincemeat, then whipped cream. Repeat layering, ending with a cake layer, flat side up. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or overnight).
• Whisk remaining 2 cups cream until soft peaks form. Frost cake with whipped cream. Decorate with glaceed fruit, and serve immediately.