Spicy Mix of Figs and Jalapenos

It's Thursday and we're almost at the weekend! Finally! I recently made a really awesome fig salad recipe that both my husband and I adore. The only catch is that it's not your typical salad. This recipe blends spice and sweetness; a big kick with a soft finish. Really delicious. I tend to serve this with grilled chicken or salmon, just for the added protein. Warning: I may have posted this one already awhile back...but it's worth the try. Enjoy!

Fresh Fig Salad with Feta and Blistered Jalapenos

Tim Byres

Ingredients

• 1 ancho chile, stemmed and seeded
• 1 cup dry red wine
• 12 dried Black Mission figs, halved lengthwise
• 1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 6 fresh large Black Mission figs, halved lengthwise
• 4 shallots, cut through the root into 1/4-inch wedges
• 4 jalapeños, seeded and julienned
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground pepper
• 2 ounces feta cheese, crumbled (1/2 cup)
• Cilantro leaves, crushed pink peppercorns and lime wedges, for serving

Directions

1. In a medium saucepan, toast the ancho chile over moderate heat, turning, until fragrant and charred in spots, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly.
2. Add the wine, dried figs, dark brown sugar and 1/4 cup of water to the saucepan and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer over moderately low heat until the chile and figs are tender, 20 minutes. Transfer to a food processor and let cool slightly. Pulse until a chunky puree forms. Scrape the jam into a bowl.
3. Light a grill or preheat a grill pan. Set a mesh or perforated pan on the grill. Spread the granulated sugar in a pie plate. Dip the cut sides of the fresh figs in the sugar and grill over high heat, until caramelized on 1 side only but still firm, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer the figs to a plate.
4. In a bowl, toss the shallots and jalapeños with the oil and season with salt and pepper. Add the vegetables to the mesh or perforated pan and grill over high heat, tossing, until lightly charred and softened, 6 minutes. Transfer the vegetables to a plate.
5. Spoon 1 or 2 tablespoons of the fig jam onto plates and arrange the shallots, jalapeños, caramelized figs and crumbled feta around it. Garnish the salad with cilantro leaves and crushed pink peppercorns and serve with lime wedges.

MAKE AHEAD
The chunky fig jam can be refrigerated for 1 week. Bring to room temperature before serving.

Lizzy Bee's Note: Don't waste that leftover jam! It's great on chicken, with salmon...something not overpowering.