FIGS-- FOR THE BIRDS AND FOR US

 

A heap of fresh figs picked from two trees in my garden. 

“You’d better dig up some fig recipes,” said Ben, as he dumped a basketful of fresh figs on my kitchen counter. Most years I would watch field rats and blackbirds darting among the broad fig leaves, nibbling and pecking at the ripe fruit. I gladly accepted bags of figs from friends’ gardens.

The birds missed these figs.

This year, there are enough figs from the two gnarly fig trees on our property for us and for the rats and birds. Perhaps the only benefit of serious drought is that the figs are both plentiful and especially sweet. 

Should you have the good fortune to be loaded with fresh figs, check at the end of this post for links to more recipes. So far, I’ve made fig salad, fig BBQ sauce and, here, a fig mousse, so sweet it requires no additional sugar. 

Luscious, creamy fig mousse, easy to make.

Fig Mousse

Espuma de Higos

Figs do not need to be peeled for this recipe.

Serves 6.

1 ½ pounds fresh figs

½ teaspoon grated lemon zest

1/3 cup fresh lemon juice

½ cup cream cheese, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup chilled whipping cream 

2 tablespoons blanched almond halves

1 teaspoon olive oil

½ teaspoon brown sugar

Figs, to garnish (optional)

Wash the figs and snip off stems. Cut the figs in half and place them in a blender or food processor with the lemon zest and juice. Blend until coarsely chopped. Add the softened cream cheese and blend until it is smooth and combined with the figs. Add the vanilla. Scrape the figs into a mixing bowl.

Using chilled beaters and chilled bowl, whip the cream until it holds soft peaks. Fold the whipped cream into the fig mixture. Spoon the fig mousse mixture into six dessert cups. 

Toast the almonds with the oil in a small skillet. When they are golden, add the brown sugar and heat, stirring, until the sugar melts. Remove from heat and scrape the almonds onto a plate to cool. Scatter the almonds on top of the cups of mousse.

Chill the mousse at least 2 hours. Serve the mousse cold garnished with quartered figs, if desired.

My neighbor, Karine, another fan of figs.

More recipes with fresh figs:

Grilled Figs and Bacon.

Grilled Chicken and Fig Salad.

Fig and Goat Cheese Flatbread.

Fig Salsa.

Fig BBQ Sauce.

Hot Gazpacho with Figs.

Figgy Fritters (Buñuelos).

Fig Ice Cream.