Food and drink in the Algarve, Portugal

Modern and Traditional Portuguese Recipes - Doce de Figos (Figs in Port Wine):

Chef Peter is Swiss, he lives and works in Norway and everywhere he goes, he takes a keen interest in local dishes.  During his visit to Portugal in 2007, he took this traditional Portuguese recipe and developed it further.  So here is.............
 

Chef Peter`s Doce de Figos which serves 4

ingredients:

16 fresh figs

1 large glass of Port Wine

for the syrup:

100 g sugar

2-3 tbsp honey

½ litre water

1 vanilla pod

1 star anise

1 whole cinnamon stick

rind of 1 medium size orange

method:

Make the syrup first.  Put the water, sugar, honey, star anise, cinnamon and orange rind into a pan, bring to the boil and reduce the volume by half.

Remove the cinnamon stick, star anise and vanilla pod and add the Port Wine.

Give the figs a quick wash and pierce them with a fork or cocktail stick.

Pile the figs into the syrup, bring them to the boil and then simmer for 10-15 minutes over a low heat.

Allow the figs and syrup to cool.  The figs in Port Wine taste best if they are made a couple of hours in advance.

The dish is great served with sorbets or Tigelada (baked custard).

If you would like to know more about Portuguese Food and Drink, why don't you dip into our Restaurants in the Algarve section and our series of articles on Portuguese Wines and Ports.  We also feature other Modern & Traditional Portuguese Recipes and a glossary of useful Portuguese food & drink words and phrases