Happy Father’s Day Try Soft Tacos with Chicken, Black Beans and California Figs for a crowd-pleasing Father’s Day dinner or anytime.  Set out an array of fun, colorful toppings and let diners build their own tacos. Use a traditional chili powder or, for more complex flavor, use some ancho, New Mexico or chipotle chili powder that may be found with...

A Treat for Mother’s Day Blintzes with a lemony fig and cheese filling are our suggestion to make Mother’s Day brunch or dessert special.   What’s a blintz? A thin crepe-like pancake, rolled around a tasty filling and sautéed or baked to serve. The pancake recipe makes a few more than you need so you can practice crepe-making skills.  (Imperfect or broken...

Celebrate the Greens of Spring Celebrate the greens of spring with Emerald Salad – full of flavors and textures. The salad combines a tangle of thinly sliced kale and Swiss chard, sweet and chewy California Figs, crunchy snap peas and radishes. Add a shower of picante cheese and toasted pecans before serving. Radish strips are crispiest when added just before...

Fabulous Fig Recipe Series Lamb is a must-have for Easter dinner in many homes. To honor the tradition we suggest a grilled or broiled boneless leg of lamb, marinated with rosemary and garlic, and served with a fig, olive and fennel vinaigrette. The recipe is easy to execute. The ingredient list is shorter than it looks as the marinade and...

Fabulous Fig Recipe Series  Figs and chocolate are perfect partners to honor Valentine’s Day in a French dessert, Chocolate Pot de Crème with Fig-Almond Topping. Since February is National Heart Month this recipe was created with good health in mind. This lightened version trims fat and calories without compromising the rich chocolate flavor and silky texture that makes Chocolate Pot...

New! FABULOUS FIG Recipe Series–Curry-Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Figs & Vegetables Cold winter days call for comfort food and, after the busy baking holidays, spending less time in the kitchen.  Eating more healthfully is top-of-mind, too. Our new recipe delivers on all counts. Turn on the oven and warm your kitchen and your soul with an oven-roasted meal cooked on...

New! FABULOUS FIG Recipe Series–Fillo Wrapped Fig Fruitcake This Mediterranean inspired recipe redefines fruitcake. A lightly spiced mix of figs, apricots and dates is studded with pistachios and wrapped in irresistibly flaky fillo dough. A good choice for holiday desserts, buffets and even brunch, it serves a crowd and can be made at least a day before serving. Wrap it...

New! FABULOUS FIG Recipe Series–Rustic Grain, Fig & Walnut Rolls There’s nothing like warm, freshly baked rolls at a holiday table or anytime.  Here’s a recipe for a rustic, grain, fig and walnut roll that requires no kneading. The first rise takes place in the refrigerator where you can keep the dough for up to 48 hours before baking. To...

New! FABULOUS FIG Recipe Series Each month we will be featuring a NEW Fabulous Fig recipe created exclusively for Valley Fig Growers by Lorelle Del Matto, nutrition and culinary professional. This month, we’ve heard all the buzz about pumpkin, and just in time for all the Halloween parties, is Pumpkin Hummus with Fig-Olive Gremolata Pumpkin Hummus with Fig-Olive Gremolata Ready...

It’s Back to School Time As the summer winds down, thoughts turn back to school. Fig Nut Bars make a great after school snack and tasty addition to lunch boxes–easy, flavorful, and packed with fiber. Fig Nut Bars   The dough may look dry at first, but it will come together as it is mixed.Makes 12 servings 1
 cup packed (7...

Keep Cool with Sensational Summer Salads Chopped Salad with Figs, Bacon and Smoked Turkey When buying the turkey for this salad, ask the deli to slice it into a 1/2-inch thick slab so that you can easily cut it into 1/2-inch pieces. Makes 4 servings Ingredients 8 slices bacon, chopped 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 2
 tablespoons cider vinegar 1...

Summer is here—Enjoy the Great Outdoors Treat Dad to Juicy Pub-Style Burgers for Father’s Day Juicy Pub-Style Burgers with Crispy Shallots, Blue Cheese, and Orchard Choice Fig Spread Sirloin steak tips are also sold as flap meat. When stirring the butter and pepper into the ground meat and shaping the patties, take care not to overwork the meat or the...