Best Brandied Fig Peach Chutney Recipes

BRANDIED FIGS

Steps:

• Wash figs a few at a time by quickly dipping them in a bowl of cool water. (Do not soak.) Place in a single layer on a kitchen towel; drain. Sprinkle 3/4 cup sugar evenly in a wide nonreactive pot. Top with figs, then sprinkle with remaining 3/4 cup sugar. Cover; refrigerate at least 12 hours and up to 2 days.
• Place pot over low heat, uncovered, and bring figs to a bare simmer. (Tilt pan from side to side or swirl a bit to help sugar dissolve, but do not stir, or fruit may get damaged.) Partially cover and simmer 10 minutes; remove from heat. Cover; let stand 4 hours.
• Repeat step 2 twice; figs should turn translucent in final simmering stage. (If necessary, allow to simmer longer than 10 minutes in final simmer, until they do.)
• Carefully spoon hot figs into hot sterilized canning jars (ideally pint-size or smaller). Bring syrup to a boil, skimming any scum that rises to surface. Turn off heat; stir in brandy. Taste; add more brandy as desired. Pour hot syrup over fruit to cover. Seal and process in a hot-water bath 10 minutes. Figs can be stored in a cool, dark place up to 1 year.

PEACH CHUTNEY

Steps:

• Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil and fill a large bowl with ice water. Cut a small X in the base of each peach using a paring knife, then add to the boiling water and cook just long enough to loosen the skins, 20 to 30 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon and immediately plunge into the ice water. Remove and peel off the skins, using a paring knife as needed. Pat dry, then chop the peaches into 1/4-inch pieces, discarding the pits.
• Combine the sugar, vinegar, red onion, raisins, ginger, lemon zest, cinnamon stick, a pinch of salt and 2 tablespoons water in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the peaches and return to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low; cook, stirring occasionally, until the peaches are tender but still hold their shape and the liquid is syrupy, 30 to 35 minutes. If the chutney seems dry, add more water, 1 teaspoon at a time.
• Let the chutney cool, then transfer to a small jar and refrigerate at least 4 hours or up to 2 weeks.

PEPPERY FIG CHUTNEY

Steps:

• Place peppercorns on a cutting board. Using the bottom of a small saucepan, crack peppercorns. Tie the thyme in a bundle with kitchen twine. Place peppercorns, dried figs, shallots, red wine, red-wine vinegar, thyme bundle, salt, and sugar in a medium saucepan. Set over medium-high heat, and bring to a boil.
• Reduce the heat to medium low, and simmer until figs are soft and the liquid has thickened, about 45 minutes.
• Remove and discard the thyme bundle. Stir in fresh figs. Cook, stirring frequently, until figs break down, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove the pan from heat.
• Transfer to a large bowl set over an ice bath to chill; store in an airtight container, refrigerated, up to 4 weeks.

FRESH FIG AND PEACH CRUMBLE

Steps:

• Add the butter and 1/3 cup sugar to a large bowl.
• Using an electric mixer, beat about 3 minutes, or until well combined.
• Add in 1 cup flour and salt; beat on low speed just until the flour is incorporated; the mixture should be dry and crumbly.
• Scrape the flour from the bottom and edges of the bowl, pressing it into the pastry.
• The pastry should still be crumbly.
• Refrigerate the pastry until ready to use.
• Combine the peaches and figs in a big bowl.
• Add in the lime juice; toss to blend.
• In a smaller bowl, mix together the 2 tablespoons flour and 2 tablespoons sugar and the cinnamon; stir to blend.
• Sprinkle the cinnamon/sugar/flour mixture over the fruit.
• Fold gently, just to blend without crushing the fruit.
• Spoon the fruit into a lightly buttered 1 1/2 to 2 quart shallow dish.
• Sprinkle the cold pastry crumbs evenly over the fruit.
• Bake in a 350°F oven for about 35 to 40 minutes or the top is golden brown and the fruit bubbly.
• Let cool slightly.
• Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve warm with ice cream.