How To Dry Figs

Can’t dream of a life without chocolates, cookies, chips, and buttered corns? Well, then it is time you took a dietary check and switched on to something healthier and yummier. If you simply cannot do without binging big on this high-cal craving, know that by the time you hit your 40’s, your blood pressure and cholesterol levels are likely to hit the roof and make your blood look like food scum on the bottom of a deep-fat fryer. Sounds scary, right! Before you dunk your jaws on these fatty vices, know that swapping your high-fat, high-cal goodies with something light and sensible like dried figs can leave you high on health and taste. Dried figs are extremely palatable and can be generously used in your cakes, cookies and cereals to pep up its rich taste. From yummy fig rolls to extremely palatable fig sandwiches, these sweet delights can leave you with little to be desired. To know more on how to dry figs, read on.

• Preheat your microwave oven to 250 degrees centigrade.
• Take a pound or two of fresh figs and wash them in cool water, rinsing thoroughly to scrape off any dirt. Toss the figs in a paper towel and pat them dry.
• Slit the figs sideways, cutting from stem end to base and keep aside.
• Take a shallow baking dish with a rim (to prevent juices from flowing out) of the right size to hold the figs snugly.
• Arrange the figs in the baking dish, making sure that they are not packed too closely. Put the cut side of the figs down and put the baking dish inside the oven. Set the timer to one hour.
• After an hour, remove the dish from the oven and turn the figs, cut-side up. You will notice purplish red juices on the tray. Toss the figs in the juices and replace the baking dish back into the oven and reset the timer again for one hour.
• Repeat this procedure in 1 hour time intervals for at least three hours, tossing and turning the figs until all the juice has been squeezed out and the figs are firm dark, wrinkly and sticky.
• Now reduce the temperature to 200 degrees centigrade and slide in the figs inside the oven once again, baking it for another half an hour until the figs are completely solid and firm. Switch off the oven and allow the figs to cool down.
• Remove the figs from the baking dish and serve it as delicious appetizer before dinnertime or stuff it with chopped almonds, nuts and goat cheese and serve it with red wine or nice port. You can also store it in airtight jars for further usage.
• Another way to enjoy delectable dry figs right at your home is to sun dry them. Just gather a lot of ripened figs, wash and clean them thoroughly, slit the fruit into half, place them on racks, and place it in the sun to dry. Your dry figs should be ready in two days. You can also use wooden trays to heat your figs over fire for quick results.