Are you looking for a great fig salad recipe? Look no further. Before we jump into the actual recipe let’s find out why figs are good food to eat.
During my childhood days, when my grandfather would take me to his backyard to show me his fig tree. He had an innate love for the earth and always wanted me to learn where ingredients I loved eating so much came from.
History of the Fig tree
The fig tree is said to be the first tree that was cultivated on earth. The fig tree appears repeatedly in both the Old and New Testament of the Bible. It originated in northern Asia Minor and spread with the Greeks and the Romans throughout the Mediterranean region.
Later the Spaniards brought figs to California, where it became one of the largest fig regions, along with Greece, Israel, Turkey, Spain, and Portugal.
Fig health benefits
They are high in fiber, minerals, and sugars. Rich in potassium, iron, magnesium and recommended to strengthen the intestine and control blood pressure. Its leaves have even proven anti-diabetic properties.
They are a very delicate fruit and do not last more than 1-2 days.
Luckily we can buy them dry or canned. Because today, sugars, artificial flavors and other ingredients that we do not need are added, you must be very careful when buying canned figs.
I always buy mine on Food Match, a portal I recently found from a Mediterranean food producer and importer, which guarantees the quality of everything they import. From irrigation and pruning, to harvest, classification and conservation, thus maintaining flavor, color, and natural texture.
Related Article: Health benefits of blueberries, immensely beneficial
There is nothing better than serving cheese with figs and citrus or chili. My mouth is already watering just from talking about it. Additionally, think about the ham, chorizos, manchego, almonds and the bread that also goes with this recipe.
Figs are versatile, you can add them to salads, a sandwich, a toast in the morning or even in a milkshake.
Remember, when buying read well the origin of the product, its ingredients, and its company philosophy. We are what we eat!
Fig salad with cheese and blueberries
Ingredients for 2 people:
- 100gr of green leaves of lettuce of your liking. You can use a mixture with tender sprouts, arugula, canons.
- 6 fresh figs of good-size, with very firm skin.
- 100gr of goat’s cheese, or fresh cheese, or mozzarella
- A handful of nuts.
- A handful of blueberries.
- A handful of pumpkin or sunflower seeds to give a crispy point.
Directions
- Place the green leaves at the bottom of a bowl
- Wash and cut the figs and arrange them on slices. Same with the cheese.
- Add the blueberries.
Honey vinaigrette
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil.
- A spoonful of lemon juice.
- 1/2 teaspoon of mustard
- A spoonful of honey
- Salt and pepper.
Put the honey in a glass and heat it for a few seconds in the microwave. Once liquefied, add the other ingredients and mix them very well.
Only when serving the salad, you add the honey vinaigrette dressing.
Doreen Colondres is a celebrity chef. Author of the book The Kitchen Doesn’t Bite. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram @DoreenColondres and visit www.LaCocinaNoMuerde.com , www.TheKitchenDoesntBite.com or buy her book on Amazon or iTunes.