Delicious Fig Recipes!

Who doesn’t love figs? They are one of my favorite fruits and go with just about everything. Not only are they delicious but are very nutritious and one of the most alkaline foods – we all need alkalizing. J Here are the health benefits of figs along with a few of my favorite fig recipes: Pistachio Fig Pudding, Chevre-Stuffed Figs and Fig Butter…

Yes it is true; figs are one of the most alkaline foods, which is why they are so important to the diet and can help balance your PH. When you are feeling overly acidic, stressed or unhealthy, a nice snack of fresh or dried figs can help to de-stress the body internally by neutralizing some of your acidity.

Figs are a great source of healthy carbohydrates/energy, minerals and enzymes. They are naturally high in potassium (great for lowering high blood pressure), iron, magnesium, manganese, calcium and many more. I craved figs, especially dried, during the beginning of my pregnancy when I was anemic. I would literally crave them all day and as soon as I had a cup of figs my energy shot right up. According to Encyclopedia of Healing Foods they “contain 250mg of calcium per 100g, compared to whole milk with only 118mg”.

Lastly, they are great for constipation. You will know when you have reached your limit of figs – you might experience a cleansing affect! Let’s get to the recipes…

PISTACHIO FIG PUDDING

Ingredients:

½ cup chopped fresh or dried figs
3 3/4 cups almond, hemp or coconut milk
½ cup xylitol, organic maple syrup, yacon syrup or honey
½ cup shredded coconut
½ cup almonds (if you buy blanched you won’t have to peel them)
½ cup pistachios
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup rice flour

Directions:

In a pot cover the almonds with water (if they are not blanched), bring to a boil, remove from heat and then add cold water.
Time to peel the almonds: The almonds will easily “pop” out of their skins if you squeeze them.
Place the almonds, pistachios and shredded coconut into a food processor and grind for 5-10 seconds until the nuts are finely minced.
In a deep pot pour the milk, flour and sweetener and whisk vigorously over medium-high heat until it becomes a thicker pudding consistency. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and finely chopped figs.
Pour the pudding into a bowl and once it has cooled for 5-10 minutes crumble the ground nut mixture into the pudding and stir well.
Refrigerate for at least 20-30 minutes allowing the pudding to firm.

CHEVRE-STUFFED FIGS

Ingredients: