God Loves Figs

And so do I.

Fortunately the fig trees are productive.  The Brown Turkey is popping out large plump marvels.  The Mission is (finally) happily producing in its transplanted spot.  We're gathering them up every week and placing them carefully in egg cartons to transport down to the City for snacking at work.  

Fruit and savory combinations are a particular favorite of mine.  And fortunately, they are easily created in the bathroom.

I've already extolled the virtues of figs and roquefort (or goat cheese) broiled in the toaster oven, but there are other fig-based dishes that are equally adaptable.  Here are three:

Fig-ini Salad

Slice some zucchini in pencil thin slices about three inches long

Toss in balsamic vinegar and olive oil with some salt & pepper

Add some figs, sliced in 1/2 inch cubes

Toss again

Enjoy

Penne & Figs

Boil some Penne

Quarter some figs (more is better, but do it to your taste)

Crumble or grate some cheese, either blue (roquefort, gorgonzola, wisconsin blue), dry (parmesan, romano, gouda) or sharp (cheddar, gruyere, dried goat)

Chop some Italian parsley (about a quarter cup)

When done, toss the Penne in two to three tbsp of butter

Toss the figs, parsley and cheese

Enjoy as a meal OR have it as an accompaniment

The Best Hamburgers EVER

Seriously, this is the best hamburger I have ever made.  It's not at all kosher, but well worth the wrath of God.

Two lbs high quality Beef

Divide the beef into quarters (you can use less beef if you want smaller burgers)

Flatten the beef into a patty, about 1/2 inch thick

Slice a large fig in half

Stuff each half of the fig with a generous dollop of cheese (depending on your taste, use one of the aforementioned)

Place the figs, cheese side up, on the flattened patty

Grab the patty from below, and wrap the beef around the figs, forming a ball, then flattening it into a flat patty

Grill or pan fry in butter until medium (or medium rare)

Serve on a nice bun with a sliced heirloom tomato and spicy mustard

If you're vegetarian, create a black bean puree and try the same (why not?)