Denise says:

While I was in Istanbul this was served at one of the local restaurants and this recipe is my version of what they called ‘Turkish Viagra’! Dried figs are soaked in boiling water before being stuffed with walnuts and cooked in a beautiful red wine syrup. To enjoy it as its best, serve with thick natural yoghurt drizzled with honey.

Istanbul has the most amazing spice market not to be missed ~ so if you have a trip planned put this place on the schedule to visit!


Preparation Time: 20 minutes plus 2 hours soaking
Cooking Time:25 minutes
Serves: 6 people

Ingredients:

450g dried figs
300ml boiling water

For the Filling
60g walnut pieces/ halves

Syrup
250ml ‘tea’ made with 2 bay leaves, 3 cloves, 200g sugar, 150 ml water, 100 ml red wine, 2 – 3 tablespoons honey, zest of 1 lemon

Method

1) Pour boiling water over the dried figs and leave for 2 hours
2) Hold the figs by their stalks and make a small incision in the soft end of each one. Add the walnut halves to fill out the figs.
3) Place stalk side up in an ovenproof dish.
4) To make the syrup combine all the ingredients together. Pour into a saucepan and simmer for 5 minutes. Sweeten the syrup to taste with more honey. Pour over the figs.
5) Pre-heat the oven to 180 C/ 350F/ Gas mark4.
6) Bake for 20 minutes

Can be served hot or cold with thick natural yoghurt or your favourite ice cream!

To serve the stylish way
Place in a wine glass, top with ice cream or yoghurt and dust the top with a little dried cinnamon.
Tagged in: Dinner Party, Figs, Mediterranean, Parev, Shabbat, Walnuts