Fig Dry Fruit: A Nutritional Powerhouse
Fig Dry Fruit are among the earliest fruits to be tamed and have been esteemed for their extraordinary flavor and wellbeing giving properties. Fig Dry Fruit become a concentrated supplement when they are dried thus many individuals favor having them as a bite. In this article, you will find data about nourishment worth and wellbeing effects of dried figs, how these scrumptious fruits can be utilized in cooking? and how to appropriately dry and store them?
Fig Dry Fruit Benefits:
Medical Advantages:
- Stomach related Wellbeing: Besides, dried figs have a high measure of fiber which is extremely fundamental in working with solid discharge subsequently forestalling stoppage. It likewise fills in as a prebiotic in this way help being developed of the right stomach flora.
- Bone Wellbeing: A high measure of calcium and magnesium found in got figs help to battle dry osteoporosis and keep the bones solid.
- Heart Wellbeing: The potassium content in dried figs empowers it to adjust circulatory strain; these contains cell reinforcements other than assisting with bringing down possibilities of heart illnesses because of its battle against oxidative pressure.
- Blood Sugar Control: Notwithstanding, dried figs are low to moderately high GI standing thus making them a good snack for diabetic individuals.
Culinary Uses:
Dried Fig Dry Fruit are incredibly versatile and can be used in various culinary applications:
- Snacking: Cons particular dried Fig Dry Fruit when consumed on their own is that it can be valued as a healthy snack.
Baking: Use them into cakes, cookies as well as bread to make them sweet and to have a chewy feel.
Salads: They can be chopped to add onto salads, sandwiches and any other dish that one would want to use some dried fruits.
Cooking: Instead incorporate it in meals such as stews and tagines in an attempt to enrich and enhance the taste.
Preserves: Freeze the Fig Dry Fruit to make fig jam or chutney so that you have a taste of their flavor all year long.
Drying and Storing Fig Dry Fruit:
Drying Fig Dry Fruit at home is a simple process that can be done using an oven, dehydrator, or even the sun.
Preparation:
- Rinse the Fig Dry Fruit with water and then pick all the dirt from the surface and wipe them dry. It can be opened in halves, or remain a whole, it’s all the same.
Drying:
- Oven: Second, put the figs on the baking sheet before putting it in the oven to dry at the lowest temperature for 6-8 hours while flipping the figs from time to time.
Dehydrator: Put the figs on the dehydrator trays and dry the figs at 60ᵒC 6- 12hours.
Sun-Drying: It is recommended to put the figs on a clean surface and expose to the sun while using a mesh so that insects cannot get close to them.
Storing:
- Fig fruit on ripening and when dried well can be stored for several months.
Snack Ideas:
- Stuffed Figs: Stuff dried figs with nuts or with almonds or walnuts and a small portion of cheese like goat cheese or blue cheese. This combination offers a very good blend of the sweet and the savory meals.
Energy Balls: Combine dried figs, dates, nuts and honey and shape into energy balls You could also add another type of berry. Convert them in shredded coconut or cocoa powder for that added chunk of taste.
Trail Mix: The way they found the fruit you can try adding chopped dried figs to your next trail mix recipe. They are normally eaten in combination with nuts and seeds and other dried fruits and are naturally sweet and moist.
Use of dried Fig Dry Fruit in baking and cooking:
- Baking: They can be used in different types of baking products and they also contain dried figs. They are used to moisten and sweeten cakes, muffins and cookies among other baked products. Dried figs can be cut into small pieces and used into oatmeal cookies or even banana bread.
- Fig Dry Fruit Bars: Prepare fig bars at home using fresh and dried figs that can be processed into a paste by boiling the dried figs in a small amount of water with sugar to get the fig paste then place it between oat or shortbread base or dough. These bars are ideal for taking in the morning as a break fast meal or in the evening as a snacks.
- Savory Dishes: Notably, dried figs can also be used to complement other savory recipes, plans or meals. Use them to dress salads, grain bowls, or even as a stuffing addition for a little hint of natural sweetness. The best pair them chicken type of meat.
- Sauces and Glazes: Preparing finished balsamic prune or fig sauce, glaze or syrup: soak dried figs in water for about 20 minutes, then simmer them with natural balsamic vinegar, honey, cinnamon, whole star anise or other whole spices to taste. It is useful for pouring over roasted vegetables, meats or; it can be served with cheeses.
Fig Jams and Preserves
Fig Jam:
- Ingredients: 1 chop dried figs, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water, 1 tablespoon lemon juice.
Instructions: Mix all the ingredients in saucepan. Boil, then let it simmer for about 30 minutes adding stirring occasionally, until the mixture gets thick. Bottle and cap the jars or any other clean containers After the process they are ready for use.
Fig and Walnut Preserve:
- Ingredients: 1 Pounds of dried figs chopped, sugar 1 cup, water 1 cup, chopped walnuts 1/2 cup and vanilla prepared 1 tsp.
Instructions: Add all ingredients to a saucepan; figs, sugar and water. Boil with the mixture for some time and then let it cook for 20 minutes at a slow heat. Stir in the walnuts and then mix in the vanilla extract, let mixture simmer for about 10 minutes. Transferee to jars for storing and proper sealing.
Spiced Fig Chutney:
- Ingredients: 1 pound dried figs – chopped 1 cup apple cider vinegar, ½ cup brown sugar, 1 onion –chopped, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon cloves.
Instructions: Put them all in a big pot together. Add to a boil; reduce heat and continue to cook for approximately half an hour to 45 minutes while stirring occasionally till the gravy thickens. Fill into sterilized jars and seal it.
Dried Figs Around the World: An Analysis of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern & Asian Cuisines
Dried figs are used and much appreciated in many cuisines of the world different countries. These are naturally sweet and have a soft and slightly dense texture making them to be used in salads, pastries, breakfast and snacks. Now we will see some of the ways in which dried figs are applied to the Mediterranean kitchen, the Middle East and Asia.
Mediterranean Cuisine:
Dried Fig Fruit are best grown in a region with warm temperature and nutrient –rich soil which the Mediterranean region offers. Dried Fig Fruit are found in the Mediterranean diets and are known for their excellent taste and the richness in nutrients.
Greek Dried Figs: In Greece dried figs can be eaten only as a snack or with nuts and cheese. There are so called Kami figs from the island of Evia, and these are rather large and their taste is similar to honey. These figs are used mainly in traditional Greek sweets such as cakes and pastries made of figs.
Italian Dried Figs: In Italy dried figs are used in many district dishes of the country as one of main ingredients. Calabria’s Fiches di Cosenza, for example are less acidic than other figs and, thus, are usually filled with nuts and candied fruits, before being baked and sprinkled with powdered sugar. These stuffed figs which are referred to as “Croquette di Fiches” are traditional Calabrian sweets.
Spanish Dried Figs: Dried figs consumption can also be traced in Span’s culture. They are used in a plug option to accompany with the tapas or cured meats or cheeses or in desserts such as fig cakes. The Spanish dried fig cake also referred to as “Pan de Higo” consist of dried figs, almonds, and spices to give a rich and moist cake.
Middle Eastern Delicacies:
Figs are native to the region and have been consumed in the Middle Eastern cuisine for millennia due to their natural sugars and ability to be eaten in many forms.
Fig Jam: Among the Arab countries that practice preserving the fig, the Middle Eastern way of doing this is making fig jam. This jam is commonly spiced with the cinnamon and cloves; and it goes well with bread and cheese. It is a regular in many a Middle Eastern kitchen and pantry that carries the fig jam.
Stuffed Figs: In the dried figs, it is possible to stuff them with nuts, for example, almonds or pistachios and add rose water or orange blossom water. These stuffed figs are the best treats during festive periods and are well accompanied by tea.
Tagines and Stews: Dried Fig Fruit are used in tagine as well as in stew recipes. This adds natural sweetener in the meal that helps in counteracting the spiciness of powder and also make the meal more tasteful.
Asian Variations:
Figs are not so popular in typical Asian meals but they are utilized in various meals and snacks.
Chinese Herbal Medicine: Traditionally in China, dried figs are used in the Chinese herb medicine because of the various benefits they have health wise. They are also known to be effective in treating certain ailments among which include digestive system and respiratory ailments. The dried figs are known to be used in the soups and teas to give them health boosting qualities.
Japanese Sweets: But in Japan dried figs are used in waggish which are traditional Japanese sweets. Some of these sweets contain dried fruits and nuts and figs are special in taste and feel as compared with other dry fruits.
Indian Cuisine: India is one of the countries where dried figs can be used in Christmas, desserts or in spicy food preparations. They are normally used as garnishing for biryanis and pilaf where they complement the spices with their sweetness. Dried figs are also the ingredient used for making the Indian sweets such as barfi and halwa.
Conclusion
Figs are an incredibly diverse fruit that can be consumed when it is fresh and when it is dry there are few foods so universal in their appeal. In Mediterranean one can find dried figs being used in snacks and even in Middle Eastern cuisine, while in Asian styles they are used in different variations for their special taste and crunchy texture. This and the fact that they are associated with a number of world cuisines makes them one of the most valued additions to many recipes.
Dried Fig Fruit are very tasty mid-morning snacks and also very healthy for any person regardless his or her age. Due to their nutrient density and the various health properties associated with them they are an important food type as far as nutrition is concerned. Furthermore, dried figs can be eaten as snack, in meals or even baked foods; this just shows how benefits are in a dried fig.
