Figs, known for their natural sweetness and versatility, pair exceptionally well with the rich, bold flavors of Merlot. This combination creates a culinary experience that is both elegant and approachable. Merlot's dark fruit notes, hints of spice, and smooth tannins complement the fig's delicate texture and subtle flavors. Whether you're looking for an appetizer, main course, or dessert, there's a recipe that will tantalize your taste buds and showcase the harmonious marriage of figs and Merlot.
Here are our top 9 tried and tested recipes!
FIGS IN MERINGUE
In this recipe, fresh figs are baked in clouds of meringue.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Dessert & Treats Recipes
Number Of Ingredients 3
Steps:
- Heat oven to 250 degrees. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk the egg whites to soft peaks on medium speed, about 7 minutes. Reduce the speed to low, and slowly add the confectioners' sugar. Once the sugar is fully incorporated, increase the speed to high; you may need to scrape down the bowl a few times. Whisk until whites are firm but not dry, about 10 minutes more.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Divide the meringue into 4 equal dollops on the parchment, and place 3 fig quarters in the center of each dollop. Using a small offset spatula, smooth the meringue around the bottom of the figs, sealing the bottom of each fig in meringue.
- Place baking sheet with meringue and figs on center rack of oven, and bake until meringues are firm, about 1 hour. Remove baking pan from oven, and, using a spatula, transfer meringues to a serving platter. Serve immediately.
FIGS COOKED IN MERLOT
Provided by Fred Plotkin
Categories quick, sauces and gravies, dessert
Time 15m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Place figs in saucepan wide enough so each has room to cook without touching. Add wine, sugar and raspberries if using. Cook, covered, over medium heat for 5 minutes.
- Using a slotted spoon, remove figs and place three on each of 4 dessert plates. Cut them in half vertically, and let cool.
- Continue heating sauce until it boils and begins to thicken. When it forms a light syrup, pour over figs and serve.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 194, UnsaturatedFat 0 grams, Carbohydrate 35 grams, Fat 0 grams, Fiber 5 grams, Protein 1 gram, SaturatedFat 0 grams, Sodium 5 milligrams, Sugar 29 grams
MERLOT-POACHED FIGS WITH VANILLA FROZEN YOGURT
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories dessert
Time 2h35m
Yield 4 (1/2-cup) servings
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Whisk the merlot, honey, and vanilla extract in a small saucepan until combined. Add the figs, cherries, and cinnamon stick. Bring to a simmer, partially cover, and cook until the fruit plumps, about 20 minutes. Remove from the heat, cover, and set aside to steep, at least 10 minutes and up to 2 hours.
- Divide the frozen yogurt among 4 bowls (1/3 cup each) and top with warm or room temperature compote. Serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 226 calorie, Fat 0.5 grams, SaturatedFat 0 grams, Carbohydrate 45 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 3 grams
FIGS POACHED IN RED WINE
This recipe features dried figs, which can be found year-round, poached in wine, for a delicious winter dessert.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Dessert & Treats Recipes
Time 1h20m
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- In a medium saucepan, combine all ingredients and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until figs are easily pierced with the tip of a sharp paring knife, 45 minutes to 1 hour.
- With a slotted spoon, transfer figs to a bowl; simmer remaining liquid until reduced to about 1/3 cup, 3 to 5 minutes (liquid should look syrupy and coat the back of a spoon). Pour through a fine-mesh sieve over figs, and let cool slightly. (If refrigerating, bring to room temperature before serving.) Serve figs and syrup over ice cream or whipped ricotta cheese, if desired.
FILET MIGNON WITH MERLOT SAUCE
Categories Sauté Kid-Friendly Beef Tenderloin Red Wine Summer Bon Appétit Small Plates
Yield Serves 6
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Boil wine, chicken broth and beef broth in heavy large saucepan over high heat until mixture is reduced to 2 cups, about 1 hour. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
- Mix butter and flour in small bowl. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle steaks with salt and cracked pepper. Sauté steaks until medium-rare, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer to plate. Add shallots, garlic and thyme to skillet; stir 30 seconds. Add 1 1/2 cups reduced wine mixture to skillet (reserve remainder for another use). Bring mixture to boil, scraping up any browned bits. Add butter mixture and whisk until smooth. Boil sauce until thick enough to coat spoon, about 2 minutes. Serve steaks with sauce.
MERLOT FILET MIGNON
Although this is a simple recipe, the filet is rich and elegant enough for a special occasion. Add a salad and rolls, and dinner is done! -Jauneen Hosking, Waterford, Wisconsin
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 20m
Yield 2 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- In a small skillet, cook steaks in 1 tablespoon butter and the olive oil over medium heat until meat reaches desired doneness (for medium-rare, a thermometer should read 135°; medium, 140°; medium-well, 145°), 4-6 minutes on each side. Remove and keep warm., In the same skillet, add wine, stirring to loosen browned bits from pan. Bring to a boil; cook until liquid is reduced to 1/4 cup. Add the cream, salt and remaining butter; bring to a boil. Cook and stir until slightly thickened and butter is melted, 1-2 minutes. Serve with steaks.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 690 calories, Fat 43g fat (20g saturated fat), Cholesterol 165mg cholesterol, Sodium 279mg sodium, Carbohydrate 4g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 49g protein.
LAMB SHANKS BRAISED IN MERLOT WITH FIGS
I found this on a New Zealand site whilst looking for ways to use up a heap of dried figs Russell brought home. Prep time doesn't include marinating.
Provided by JustJanS
Categories Stew
Time 3h
Yield 3-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Place the lamb shanks in a deep dish with the onions celery, olives, capers, dried figs, black pepper, rosemary and garlic.
- Pour over the merlot and marinate, covered, in the fridge for at least 4 hours-24 hours for preference.
- Remove the shanks from the marinade.
- Reserve the marinade.
- Heat the oil in a heavy-based frying pan and brown the shanks on all sides.
- Transfer them to a casserole dish.
- Add the tomato paste to the pan and stir over a moderately high heat until it becomes a deep reddish brown colour.
- add the stock and bring to the boil.
- Pour over the meat and add the reserved marinade ingredients.
- Cover and cook at 160c for 2-2 1/2 hours or until the meat is nearly falling foo the bone.
- Season to taste, serve over mash with greens on the side.
FILET WITH A MERLOT SAUCE
Filet Mignon with an excellent Merlot wine sauce.
Provided by CANMAD7
Categories 100+ Everyday Cooking Recipes
Time 1h45m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In a heavy sauce pan over high heat, combine wine, chicken broth and beef broth. Bring to a boil, and cook until mixture is reduced to 2 cups, about an hour. (This can be prepared a day ahead - cover and refrigerate).
- In a small bowl, mix butter and flour. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sprinkle steaks with salt and pepper, and saute until medium-rare, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer steaks to a plate.
- Stir shallots, garlic and thyme into skillet. Add 2 cups reduced wine mixture to skillet. Bring mixture to a boil, scraping up any browned bits. Whisk in butter mixture until smooth. Boil sauce until thick enough to coat a spoon, about 2 to 3 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 397.8 calories, Carbohydrate 6.3 g, Cholesterol 96.1 mg, Fat 16.5 g, Fiber 0.1 g, Protein 31.3 g, SaturatedFat 6.8 g, Sodium 353.6 mg, Sugar 1.5 g
MERLOT-POACHED FIGS WITH VANILLA FROZEN YOGURT
Make and share this Merlot-Poached Figs With Vanilla Frozen Yogurt recipe from Food.com.
Provided by little_wing
Categories Dessert
Time 2h20m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Whisk the merlot, honey, and vanilla extract in a small saucepan until combined.
- Add the figs, cherries, and cinnamon stick.
- Bring to a simmer, partially cover, and cook until the fruit plumps, about 20 minutes.
- Remove from the heat, cover, and set aside to steep, at least 10 minutes and up to 2 hours.
- Divide the frozen yogurt among 4 bowls (1/2 cup each) and top with warm or room temperature compote.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 153.9, Fat 0.3, Sodium 5.7, Carbohydrate 28.1, Fiber 2.8, Sugar 22.5, Protein 1
Tips:
- Choose ripe, fresh figs: Look for figs that are plump and have a slight give when gently pressed. Avoid figs that are bruised or have any signs of spoilage.
- Use a good quality Merlot: The wine you use will have a big impact on the final flavor of the dish, so choose a Merlot that you enjoy drinking. A medium-bodied Merlot with fruity notes will work well.
- Don't overcrowd the pan: When cooking the figs, make sure to give them enough space so that they can cook evenly. If you overcrowd the pan, the figs will steam instead of caramelize.
- Cook the figs until they are tender: The figs should be cooked until they are tender but still hold their shape. Overcooking will make them mushy.
- Serve the figs warm or at room temperature: Figs can be served warm or at room temperature. If you are serving them warm, keep them covered until you are ready to serve.
Conclusion:
Figs cooked in Merlot is a delicious and elegant dish that is perfect for any occasion. The sweet, juicy figs are perfectly complemented by the rich, fruity flavors of the Merlot. This dish is sure to impress your guests, and it is also very easy to make. So next time you are looking for a special dish to serve, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!
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