Photography by Kym Grimshaw
It’s the crunch of the filo pastry that’s worth paying attention to – and, of course, the peppery fig, cheese and walnut filling. Eat them al fresco so that any crumbs can be left for the birds.
Makes 12
You will need
12 large figs
250g soft goat’s cheese
4 tsp black peppercorns
100g walnuts, chopped
12 large filo pastry sheets
100g butter, melted
Handful chives
To make
1 Preheat your oven to 200C/Fan 180C/Gas 6 and line two baking trays with baking paper.
2 Remove the stems from the figs and score a deep cross in the top of each one, cutting about two-thirds of the way down. Gently squeeze the base of each fig to open them up slightly.
3 Remove the rind from the goat’s cheese and grind the black pepper. Mix together with the walnuts before dividing the mixture evenly between the figs. Try to get it as deeply into the fig as you can before squeezing the sides back up around it.
4 Divide each filo sheet into four and stack them up, sandwiched with a light layer of melted butter. On each stack, place a fig in the centre and then gather the pastry up around the sides of the fig, pressing to keep each one together.
5 Transfer the bundles to the baking trays and bake for 12-15 mins, or until the bundles are golden brown.
6 Allow to cool for 5 mins before scattering with the chives and serving while still warm.
While you wait…
While the filo bundles are in the oven, here’s a little mini project to keep your creative mind busy.
Fig leaves may get overshadowed by the fruit but they’re beautiful in their own right. Here, they take centre stage in a printmaking project that anyone can try. They make lovely labels for fig jam, too.
You will need:
Water-based acrylic paint
Palette or dish
Paint brushes or sponges
Fig leaves
Newspaper or scrap paper
Thick paper or card
How to make
1 Squeeze a little paint onto your palette. Using a paint brush or sponge, gently daub a fig leaf with paint until you have fully covered the stems and veins well.
2 Do a test print by placing the leaf paint-side down onto some newspaper or scrap paper. Place another piece of newspaper or scrap paper over the top side of the leaf and then press hard enough that the paint transfers from the leaf to the paper. Remove the top sheet and peel away the leaf. If the details of the leaf are lost, try using less paint or lighter pressure. If the print looks faint, increase the amount of paint or press more firmly.
3 Once you’re happy with the end result, begin printing onto your paper or card. Leave to dry thoroughly. These prints work beautifully as labels for the blackberry and fig leaf jam. Simply make a small hole in one corner, write onto the plain side, and attach to the jar with twine or string.
The recipe and project above are both taken from our August issue’s ‘Kitchen Therapy’ feature, which focuses on seasonal makes as well as making the most of simple kitchen tasks. The recipes and ideas are by Lottie Storey and the photography is by Kym Grimshaw.
Buy this month's The Simple Things - buy, download or subscribe
