Elegant and aromatic, this dessert captures the essence of late summer and early autumn in every spoonful. Fresh, ripe figs are gently simmered in ruby port with honey, citrus zest, and warm spices—cinnamon, star anise, and cloves—until tender and infused with deep, complex flavor. The result is a luxurious, jewel-toned compote that pairs beautifully with a soft cloud of honeyed cream.
This dish is deceptively simple to prepare yet striking enough for entertaining. The figs can be poached ahead of time, allowing the spiced syrup to deepen in flavor. Serve slightly warm or chilled, with a drizzle of the syrup and a sprig of mint for a fragrant, elegant finish.
INGREDIENTS:
12 fresh, ripe medium figs
1/4 cup honey
4 cups port wine
pinch of salt
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 lemons, zested
2 oranges, zested
2 whole cloves
2 cinnamon sticks
3 star anise
8 peppercorns
Honeyed Cream
½ cup heavy cream
½ cup sour cream
1 tablespoon honey
Mint leaves, for garnish
METHOD:
Trim a thin slice from the bottom of each fig so they sit flat. Set aside.
In a large, wide saucepan, combine the honey, port, salt, balsamic vinegar, lemon and orange zests, cloves, cinnamon sticks, star anise, and peppercorns. Bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a simmer.
Add the figs to the pan in a single layer, if possible. Simmer gently for about 5 minutes, turning once halfway through, until the figs are tender but not falling apart. Remove from heat and let the figs cool in the liquid to absorb more flavor.
If desired, remove the figs with a slotted spoon and simmer the liquid for 5–7 minutes until slightly thickened. Return the figs to the syrup to coat.
In a medium bowl, whip together the heavy cream, sour cream, and honey until light and fluffy. Keep chilled until serving.
Spoon a generous dollop of honeyed cream onto each plate or dessert bowl. Arrange two figs on top, drizzle with a bit of the spiced port syrup, and garnish with fresh mint leaves.
YIELD: Serves 6 (2 figs per serving)
SOURCE: Recipe from Max’s Bistro, Fresno, California, CaliforniaFigs.com
