Perfumed ROAST FIGS
SERVES 4 / PREPARATION & BAKING: 30 MINS
ROAST FIGS
◗ 8 black figs
◗ 4 green cardamom pods, seeds ground
◗ 30ml (2T) honey
◗ 30ml (2T) balsamic vinegar
ORANGE BLOSSOM CREAM
◗ 100g mascarpone
◗ 75ml (5T) double cream
◗ 20ml (4t) honey
◗ 2,5ml (½t) orange blossom water
Pre-heat the oven to 180°C and keep a roasting dish handy.
1 Figs Trim the stalks from the figs and cut a cross about two-thirds of the way down in each fig. Keep the bases intact. Gently squeeze their bottoms so they open up slightly like blooming flower buds. Arrange the figs in a single layer in the roasting dish.
2 Mix the cardamom, honey and balsamic vinegar well and spoon into and over the figs. Bake for 10–15 minutes until the figs have just softened. When they are done, use the syrup pooled at the bottom to baste the fruit.
3 Orange blossom cream Whisk the mascarpone, cream, honey and orange blossom water together for a few minutes until it resembles a thick cream. This could also be made in advance and chilled until needed.
4 Serve the figs warm with the cream and drizzle the fragrant syrup on top.
