June 2017 Fig Focus

blending eggs and milk

It’s Dad’s Turn for Breakfast in Bed with California Figs

Wow dad with a special breakfast this Father’s Day. Our savory, oven-baked pancake, sometimes called a Dutch Baby, includes cheese, herbs and thinly sliced Orchard Choice or Sun-Maid California Figs. If dad loves bacon, toss that in too! Preparation is easy. You whirl the pancake batter ingredients in a blender or food processor, pour the batter into a large ovenproof skillet, sprinkle with toppings and bake. The egg-rich batter puffs up around the California Figs and the cheese melts for a toasty topping. Once baked and removed from the oven, the pancake settles as it begins to cool, just in time to cut into wedges and serve warm.

Savory Oven-Baked Pancake with Cheese, California Figs and Herbs

blending eggs and milk

Combine eggs and milk.

flour salt and pepper

Add flour, pepper, salt and blend. 

stir in onions and herbs

Stir in green onions and thyme.

oil and butter

Place butter and oil in pan.

pour batter in pan

Pour batter in hot pan and scatter California Figs, and cheese on top.

serving food

Cut into wedges and serve. 

Savory Oven-Baked Pancake with Cheese, California Figs and Herbs

Serves 6

  • 8 large eggs
  • ¾ cup lowfat (1%) milk
  • 1 1/8 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/3 cup thinly sliced green onion
  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme leaves (1 tablespoon dry thyme leaves) 
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil such as canola or avocado
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 cup Blue Ribbon® Orchard Choice® or Sun-Maid® California Figs, stemmed and thinly sliced
  • 4 slices bacon, cooked, drained and chopped (optional)
  • ¾ cup shredded fresh Parmesan or asiago cheese

Preheat oven to 425° F. 

In blender or food processor, combine eggs and milk. Process briefly to combine.  Add flour, pepper and salt. Process to blend. Stir in green onion and thyme (or add to blender and pulse once or twice).

Place butter and oil in an 11- to 12-inch ovenproof skillet or similar-size round baking dish. Place in oven to melt butter, about 1 minute. With oven mitts, carefully remove hot skillet and place on heatproof surface. Tilt pan to coat with fat.  Pour batter into pan. Scatter fig slices evenly on top. Sprinkle bacon, if using, and cheese over figs. 

Return pan to oven and bake for 18 minutes or until puffed and golden. Cut into wedges to serve.

lorelle

Lorelle Del Matto, MS, RDN, is a nutrition and culinary professional who combines a passion for food (and California Figs) with a quest for nutrition knowledge. She believes well designed and tested recipes can be great communication tools. Lorelle has a Master’s of Science in nutrition biology and is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. Lorelle developed her culinary skills in France at La Varenne, Ecole de Cuisine. You can find more recipes and healthy lifestyle tips to inspire you to “savor the art of healthy eating” on her website lorelledelmatto.com and on Twitter and Facebook.

Make Your Mother or Father’s Day Photo Contest

fig mothers day contest banner

Many of us learn how to cook at the elbows of our moms and dads. Surprise them this year with an unforgettable gift. Win a trip for two to visit America’s Test Kitchen in Boston (airfare and hotel included). Entry is simple: share a photo you’ve taken of a dish with California Figs in it for a chance to win. For more details and to enter, head here.

Get Grilling with California Figs & Not Ketchup Spiced Fig
We’ve got some sweet inspiration to fire up your grill this summer. Erika Kerekes, founder of Not Ketchup is sharing some of her favorite recipes for summer potlucks and picnics, featuring our Blue Ribbon Orchard Choice or Sun-Maid California Figs and the Not Ketchup Spiced Fig flavor. There might even be a sweet giveaway perfect to plan ahead for July 4th. Stay tuned to us on Facebook for recipes. 

Count on California Figs for Father’s Day—Nutrition Tips and Tidbits

figs

A healthy diet and regular physical activity can keep dad healthy for years to come. On this Father’s Day:  

Start Dad Off with a Healthy Breakfast.  Choose something from the fruit and vegetable group, something from the protein group (keep it lean) and something from the grain group. How about our tasty, low fat, Easy California Fig and Apple Turnovers? Serve with his favorite low fat or nonfat Greek yogurt and a glass of tomato juice with a celery sprig for a delicious start to the day.

Plan a Father’s Day Outdoors.  Play catch. Throw the Frisbee. Go for a bike ride. Plan a hike and a picnic lunch. Play volleyball at the beach or the park. Shoot some hoops. Set up a game of croquet. Getting outdoors, being active, and spending time with friends and family are all activities that are good for the body and the soul.

Grill with Dad. Choose lean cuts of meat such as sirloin, flank steak, chicken breast, pork tenderloin, and firm fish including salmon, halibut and tuna. Skewers are popular and a creative way to pack a variety of vitamins, minerals and fiber into dad’s meal. Thread colorful veggies and fruits including Orchard Choice and Sun-Maid California Figs, cherry tomatoes, pineapple, mushrooms, and red onions on bamboo or metal skewers. Offer to grill Salmon and California Fig Kebabs with Orange Balsamic Glaze for dad to celebrate his special day.

Cheers to You, Dad! Have a Happy, Healthy Father’s Day!

If you make this recipe, snap a photo and tag us @valleyfig —we’d love to see what you’re cooking on Instagram and Facebook!

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