The riff of sweet, caramelised figs, salty white cheese, peppery leaves, and nut crunch is a classic one. And like most classics, for very good reason. This salad was so good it’s been repeated regularly this year since the figs started coming on. It’s a starring role salad – a dinner party first course, or a totally indulgent lunch, or a plate to take to a party. If you are in Australia, figs are now in season, and only for a little while.
The Recipe:
Turn the oven on to medium hot to heat up.
Quarter the figs, spread them out on a baking tray and drizzle them with equal quantities of balsamic vinegar and honey. I used a tablespoon of each with six large figs cut into quarters for this platter salad I took to a party.
For the pecans, in a small saucepan, melt together a teaspoon of honey, a teaspoon of butter, juice of half an orange, a scant teaspoon of garam masala, a pinch of salt, and a pinch of chili powder. Toss the pecans in this mix and spread them out on another baking tray. (I thought about using macadamias first, but the first of ours are only just coming on now, and I still have some of last year’s pecans needing using.)
Put both trays into a medium hot oven and roast for about 20 minutes until the figs are soft and caramelised and the pecans are roasted and their marinade reduced to just a coating.
You should be left in the fig pan with a couple of tablespoons of juice. If it is already reduced to a syrup, then you can just cool the lot. If it is not syrupy yet, pour it into a small saucepan and reduce. If it has turned to sticky toffee, take the figs out and add a little water to dissolve.
Arrange a bed of rocket on a serving tray. Cover with a good sprinkle of cucumber quarters, then a layer of crumbled feta, then the figs and pecans, then a light sprinkle of mint and/or basil leaves.
Drizzle the fig juice over and serve.
Mmmm, lovely recipe. Thank you for sharing, now I just have to wait for the fig tree I planted a season ago to mature.
This looks extraordinary and is perfectly timed. Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful recipes.
Oh this sounds delicious! I have pinned it for future reference.
That looks amazing. I miss our fig tree at the farm as there is noting that compares to warm sun ripened figs.
My husband adores figs and i will be making this salad for sure !
That photo looked glorious that I had to make it *that* weekend. Tasted even better! Thought I made enough for leftovers, but when I went for a second helping it was all gone 🙂
NB I made it with macadamias, they only needed a few minutes in the oven.
Yes, I’m hoping for a window of opportunity with the first of the macas and the last of the figs. I think macas might outclass pecans.
We made this for a new baby gathering tonight and every last leaf was devoured. I could eat a bowl of the seasoned nuts all by themselves. Thanks for such a beautiful blog, I’ve been following for years 🙂