Figs are a sweet, scrumptious fruit, to not point out they’re aesthetically beautiful and loved for his or her placement on cheese boards, and topping toasts and cakes. Figs can be eaten fresh or dry and they’re extremely versatile to make use of in your favorite recipes for each meal. Irresistibly mixed with salty flavours like prosciutto, ham and cheese, whereas additionally perfect for your favorite baked goods, and excellent as a meat tenderizer, figs can do it all. Take a glance at our favorite fig recipes in addition to tips for cooking and baking with figs!
5 Health Benefits of Figs
1. Rich in Antioxidants
Figs, particularly when dried, are brimming with antioxidants. They have a excessive polyphenol content, and polyphenols have protecting antioxidant properties, which means they assist prevent oxygen from reacting with different chemicals and inflicting damage to cells. The highly effective antioxidants in figs offer free radical protection, serving to to decelerate aging and boost immune function.
2. Healthy Digestion
Figs are wealthy in fibre and are known for his or her laxative properties. They’re often used as a pure treatment for constipation, aiding with common bowel movements. Thanks to their fibre content, they additionally promote digestive well being by softening and including bulk to stools and serving as a prebiotic, which results in a wholesome gut.
3. Good for Your Bones
Figs contain calcium and magnesium – two minerals that play a key role in keeping your bones wholesome and strong. Along with being wealthy in these minerals, figs additionally contain a compound called strontium, which has been proven to contribute to bone health.
4. Help Prevent Heart Disease
Figs can reduce the degrees of bad ldl cholesterol within the blood. Bad LDL ldl cholesterol is linked to a risk of developing coronary heart disease. Figs are wealthy within the soluble fibre called pectin, which is important in eliminating extra ldl cholesterol from the digestive tract earlier than it makes its way into the remainder of the body. Figs are additionally wealthy in omega-3 and omega-6, which can assist keep triglyceride ranges in check to reduce the risk for coronary heart disease.
5. Lower Blood Pressure
Many of us consume a diet that’s excessive in salt and processed foods. A excessive consumption of sodium can result in a potassium deficiency, and this imbalance can result in hypertension (hypertension). Figs are a nice supply of potassium, which is required to negate the dangerous results of sodium and handle blood pressure. A diet wealthy in potassium additionally aids in blood circulation and digestive problems.
2 Risks of Eating Figs
1. Digestive Issues
Since figs are excessive in fibre (and sometimes used as a house treatment for constipation), consuming too many figs can trigger digestive points such as diarrhea. This can occur particularly when you eat too many dried figs, so make certain to eat (and cook with) them in moderation.
2. Medication Interaction
Figs contain a excessive level of vitamin K, which can interfere with blood thinning medications and trigger them to be much less effective. If you’re taking these medications, you want to maintain your vitamin K ranges consistent, so that you might want to steer away from figs. Be certain to seek the advice of with your well being care professional.
3 Tips for Cooking and Baking with Figs
1. Make Use of Fresh Figs’ Moisture Content
Use fresh figs in methods in which make use of their moisture, such as in cakes and muffins. The moisture will keep them from getting stale, so they’ll style fresher for longer. You can additionally use this to your benefit by utilizing them in recipes that are sometimes fairly dry, like scones. Using fresh figs will guarantee a moister finish result.
2. Where to Use Dried Figs
Since dried figs have a a lot decrease moisture content, they work nice in recipes the place they should maintain their shape. Think: bread, scones, biscotti and cookies. You can use them in something you’d use dates, raisins, and different dried fruits in.
3. Working With Dried Figs
Since dried figs are excessive in sugar, they have a tendency to stay together. When chopping dried figs with a knife or kitchen shears, occasionally dip the cutting instrument into heat water to prevent sticking. If you want to separate dried figs that are caught together, place them within the microwave for 10 to fifteen seconds. And in the event that they appear too hard or dry, you can soak, steam or poach them to revive moisture.
15 Fig Appetizers & Snacks
1. Elegant Fig Appetizers with Goat Cheese and Almonds | All Recipes
2. Fig Crostini with Balsamic Vinegar | The Spruce Eats
3. Fig Appetizer with Brie and Spiced Honey | Just a Little Bit of Bacon
4. Stuffed Figs with Goat Cheese | Tori Avey
5. Figs Prosciutto Appetizer | Soup Addict
6. Figs with Bacon and Chile | Epicurious
7. Fig Crostini with Goat Cheese and Pistachios | Ahead of Thyme
8. Fig and Goat Cheese Toasts | Barefoot Contessa
9. Robiola-Stuffed Figs with Pomegranate | Saveur
10. Fig Bruschetta | White on Rice Couple
11. Brie, Apple and Fig Crostini | Tikkido
12. Caramelized Onion and Fig Puff Pastry | Boulder Locavore
13. Fig Crumble Bars | Mon Petit Four
14. Easy Baked Brie with Figs and Honey | The View From Great Island
15. Fig and Burrata Appetizer | Wanderlust and Wellness
15 Fig Recipes for Lunch and Dinner
1. Roasted Kale, Avocado and Fig Salad | Julip Made
2. Pancetta and Fig Pasta | My Recipes
3. Focaccia with Figs, Caramelized Onions and Gorgonzola Cheese | Italian Food Forever
4. Pork Chops with Fig and Grape Agrodolce | Epicurious
5. Rosemary Flank Steak with Fig Salsa | My Recipes
6. Pizza Bianco with Caramelized Onion, Blue Cheese, Figs and Balsamic | Drizzle and Dip
7. Fig and Walnut Spaghetti | Green Kitchen Stories
8. Roasted Sweet Potato and Fig Kale Salad | The Roasted Root
9. Fresh Fig and Avocado Grilled Cheese | Ascension Kitchen
10. Fig and Rosemary Chicken Pizza | Foodie Fresh
11. Grilled Potato and Fig Salad | Floating Kitchen
12. Chicken with Port and Figs | Food and Wine
13. Salted Honey Fig Toast | Fork within the Road
14. Arugula Apple Fig Salad | Flavor the Moments
15. Fig and Prosciutto Flat Breads | Food and Wine
15 Fig Desserts That Satisfy
1. Fig Tart with Vanilla Scented Frangipane | Purple Foodie
2. Grilled Figs with Honeyed Mascarpone | The Kitchn
3. Chocolate Covered Figs | Give Recipe
4. Fig and Semolina Cake | Recipes From a Pantry
5. Fig, Honey and Goat Cheese Galette | Kitchen Confidante
6. Roasted Fig and Ginger Ice Cream | A Classic Twist
7. Raw Fig, Cherry and Lavender Cake | Ascension Kitchen
8. Vanilla Fig Scones | Food 52
9. Raspberry and Fig Cake | Food and Wine
10. Homemade Fig Newtons | Curious Cuisinerie
11. Fig, Tahini and Chocolate Chip Cookies | David Lebovitz
12. Figgy Pudding | Food
13. Fresh Fig Ice Cream | Wonky Wonderful
14. Fig Coffee Cake | Good Dinner Mom
15. Caramelized Figs | Veggies Save the Day
If you’re looking so as to add extra figs to your diet, try our cooking tips and wholesome fig recipes to reap their magnificence and benefits.
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