01 September 2011

Figs, labneh, mint, pepper

Figs, labneh, mint, pepperIt's September, and you know what that means: fig season.

I like to eat fresh figs raw, but that doesn't mean I always want them plain. Instead, I eat them with:

- pungent soft cheeses: chevre, brie (& I hate blue, but you could try it).
- mild white cheeses: mozzarella, cream, farmer's.
- black pepper & lots of it.
- fresh herbs: mint, basil, parsley, etc.
- thick, serious yogurt or labneh.
- honey (ours is meadowfoam).
- whatever other fruit is around: fig & peach salad, anyone?
- various lettuces, spinach, or arugula.
- toasted walnuts or pecans.

Today I cut open a handful of black mission figs, smeared them with labneh, and sprinkled them with chopped mint and black pepper. Best breakfast ever.
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7 comments:

  1. JesSeptember 1, 2011 at 9:34 AM

    Wait, you have blue cheese? But it's so good! :)

    I'm not a huge fig fan, but I could get behind these--they look scrumptious.

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  2. EileenSeptember 1, 2011 at 10:10 AM

    I do hate blue cheese! Sad but true. Practically all the really pungent cheeses are really hard for me to take. Even brie is just at the edge.

    I didn't care much about figs until I moved to fig-growing mecca, but now? ZOMG MORE PLEASE. They're one of those fruits that are either meh or unbelievable, depending on ripeness & freshness. Combine that with difficulty of transport, and half the country has never eaten a decent fig. Like, you know how most figs are brown & mushy on the inside? They should be bright purplish-red & just barely firm. SO good.

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  3. eatme_deliciousSeptember 1, 2011 at 11:18 AM

    I've never tried labneh but it looks delicious paired with the figs! I've probably never had a good fig and the way they're pollenated still freaks me out from eating them too often.

    ReplyDelete
  4. VeronicaSeptember 1, 2011 at 5:13 PM

    I think you'll have to find me a good fig to try... I don't think I've really ever had a good fresh one.

    ReplyDelete
  5. EileenSeptember 2, 2011 at 12:07 PM

    Labneh is very much like thick Greek yogurt. If you like that, you will love it. I have to say that I fully endorse ignoring how figs are pollinated, though--they're too good to miss!

    Veronica, all you have to do to find good figs is come to the farmer's market with me this weekend. FIGS APLENTY.

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  6. Catherine WeberSeptember 4, 2011 at 6:02 AM

    I just had to google pollination of figs . . . interesting! I never knew that. Nature is amazing, isn't it?

    P.S. Love figs. Love, love, love them!

    ReplyDelete
  7. EileenSeptember 6, 2011 at 6:37 PM

    Yes! Nature is AWESOME.

    ReplyDelete