A fews days ago, and taking advantage of the last days of summer, they gave me some FIGS “of the queen” freshly picked from the tree in a farmhouse located in the village of LOJA (province of Granada). There is a great variety of fig trees worldwide, for that reason we find figs of differents colors and flavors, although it is a genuinely Mediterranean species. Their smooth skin, honeyed pulp and with crispy touches in its seeds make the fig a unique and exquisite fruit.
This variety has its origin to the time of the reconquest of Granada and its name to Queen Isabel the Catholic, wich took with desire this exquisite morsel, satisfied by certain gentleman of those who accompanied it during the siege to Granada.
In ancient Greece figs were the ideal fruit of Olympic athletes because it provided them with energy, minerals (especially calcium and magnesium), vitamins (K and B) and a lot of fiber. And it is important to know that it is a fruit that, despite its sweetness (whose sugar are natural), has a low caloric content if we consume it fresh (so its percentage of fats and proteins is poor).
What to do with these delicious fresh figs? At home I was thinking on how to eat them. It is clear that there is nothing quicker and richer than hitting a bite directly but I wanted to be something original. I remember a recipe that I saw on television some time ago (of british cook Nigella Lawson) and I thought that this was the best occasion to put into practice but… adding a Mediterranean touch.
That’s where the recipe for TOASTED BRIE, SERRANO HAM AND FIG SANDWICH was born, which I present below. It is very easy to make, ideal for a breakfast or dinner and, again, taking as a star ingredient a seasonal fruit: summer. And, believe me, the fusion that creates the sweetness of the fig with the creaminess of brie cheese on the palate will not leave you indifferent… Once you taste it, you will not be able to resist the temptation to repeat!!!
To make it just enough with 2 slices of bread (I have chosen rye bread, which is my favorite), 1 fig “of the queen”, a piece of brie cheese, 2 slices of serrano ham (if it is Iberian better), olive oil (extra virgin) and 2 little pieces of butter (optional). The quantities are calculated to make one portion or one sandwich.
We take the slices of bread and spread a piece of brie cheese of one of them. In the other place the slice of serrano ham.
We remove the skin from the fig and cut it into slices and then place it on top of the brie cheese.
Put a pan in the fire and heat a piece of butter with a little of olive oil (this will prevent burning the butter). We close the sandwich and heat it in the pan. We crush it with a spatula (so that the bread absorbs the fats and stay soft and toasted).
We turn the sandwich and do the same on the other side (add another piece of butter and oil) to brown this side of the bread and toasted on both sides.
We remove it from the fire, we cut it in half and… enjoy!!!!!!! As a option we can accompany it with a salad ration.
Remember: if you want to control your weight (due to its satiating effect), cholesterol and blood glucose levels, enjoy a good intestinal transit, keep the nervous and muscular system in good condition and maintain a smooth skin, FIG is undoubtedly the star fruit.
