Gettin' Figgy With It

Source: The Daily Meal

In case you couldn't tell from my obnoxious pun of a title, this post is all about figs.

Disclaimer: I have very, very limited knowledge of figs.

Figs are a newly-blossoming area of foodie pleasure for me; up until last year, the only fig I'd ever eaten came in the form of a Newton.  Mmm, Fig Newtons...

I was a bit scared of fresh figs for a while after I saw that Sex and the City episode with the creepy guy who really enjoyed eating figs.  I'm sure you remember it.  And if you don't, it's either because you've suppressed the creepy memory or you're a heterosexual male.

I am only beginning to explore the possibilities that come with buying - or, if you're lucky enough to have a tree in your yard - picking fresh figs.

Here are some of the recipes that are going to inspire me throughout fig season (which runs from now until October):

Steak with Fig Tapenade: Are you kidding me?  Figs and barely-seared, slightly quivering hunks of red meat?!  Sign me up!  Except for the olives.  No me gustan.

Grilled Figs with Greek Yogurt and Spiced Nuts: I can so see myself eating this out on the Balcony Jungle - sweet and simple.

Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Fresh Figs:  Ah, sweet potatoes - nature's candy.  Did I mention this recipe also includes goat cheese?  You know how much I love goat cheese...

Prosciutto Roasted Figs: Because the only thing that would make a fig even better would be to stuff it with cheese, wrap it in salted meat, and roast it.

Grilled Honey-Orange Figs with Mascarpone and Pistachios: I'm sensing a cheesy, nutty theme to this whole fig thing.  Are you catching it as well?

Eat well.