Lebanese fig jam with walnut
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Lebanese Dried Fig Jam. Once you try it, you will never be satisfied with the commercial fig jam
The jam is made of sun dried figs, that are available year round, sesame seeds, walnuts, pine nuts, anise seeds, mastic gum and sugar syrup. When combined with water, sugar, lemon juice, mastic gum, the dried fruit breaks down into a wonderfully aromatic, jammy consistency, really this is much better than the store-bought variety. Once you try it, you will never be satisfied with the commercial fig jam!
Besides from being so tasty, this jam is good for you. Dried figs are an excellent source of minerals like, calcium, magnesium, potassium, copper and zinc and walnuts and pine nuts reduce the risk of heart attack! Serve it with pita bread, toast, scones, crostini with a sprinkle of bleu cheese and crackers or even on a charcuterie platter with cheese and meat board for your next party or event. You can even use at as a filling for tarts and cakes!
Ingredients:
1 kg. / 2lb. 4 oz. dried figs, stemmed and each cut into quarters
750 g. / 26.5 oz. / 3 cups sugar
5 cups water/ 1250 ml
1 teaspoon citric acid/ 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
200 g. /7 oz. walnuts, roughly chopped
½ cup pine nuts
1 teacup/200 ml white sesame seeds
1 espresso cup anise seeds
4 pieces of mastic gum, crushed with a pinch of sugar
Directions:
Pour the water, sugar, citric acid/ lemon juice and mastic gum in a large saucepan. Stir the mixture with a wooden spoon, place over high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 8 minutes. Drop the dried figs and the anise seeds in the sugar syrup and let it simmer (uncovered) for 40 minutes.
Meanwhile toast the sesame seeds: Place a dry (and free from any oil) pot over medium heat. Add the sesame seeds and stir regularly using a wooden spoon until the sesame seeds take on color, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool down completely.
To toast the walnuts: Heat a dry pot over medium heat. Add the chopped walnuts and cook stirring constantly about 2-3 minutes or until slightly changes color, toasting walnuts will bring out their earthy flavor. Set aside to cool down.
When 40 minutes have passed on simmering the dried figs in syrup, add the toasted sesame seeds, walnuts and the raw pine nuts. Stir well to fully combine the ingredients. Simmer for 1 more minute and set aside to cool down. Transfer to sterilized canning jars and seal tightly. Refrigerate.
The jam is made of sun dried figs, that are available year round, sesame seeds, walnuts, pine nuts, anise seeds, mastic gum and sugar syrup. When combined with water, sugar, lemon juice, mastic gum, the dried fruit breaks down into a wonderfully aromatic, jammy consistency, really this is much better than the store-bought variety. Once you try it, you will never be satisfied with the commercial fig jam!
Besides from being so tasty, this jam is good for you. Dried figs are an excellent source of minerals like, calcium, magnesium, potassium, copper and zinc and walnuts and pine nuts reduce the risk of heart attack! Serve it with pita bread, toast, scones, crostini with a sprinkle of bleu cheese and crackers or even on a charcuterie platter with cheese and meat board for your next party or event. You can even use at as a filling for tarts and cakes!
Ingredients:
1 kg. / 2lb. 4 oz. dried figs, stemmed and each cut into quarters
750 g. / 26.5 oz. / 3 cups sugar
5 cups water/ 1250 ml
1 teaspoon citric acid/ 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
200 g. /7 oz. walnuts, roughly chopped
½ cup pine nuts
1 teacup/200 ml white sesame seeds
1 espresso cup anise seeds
4 pieces of mastic gum, crushed with a pinch of sugar
Directions:
Pour the water, sugar, citric acid/ lemon juice and mastic gum in a large saucepan. Stir the mixture with a wooden spoon, place over high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 8 minutes. Drop the dried figs and the anise seeds in the sugar syrup and let it simmer (uncovered) for 40 minutes.
Meanwhile toast the sesame seeds: Place a dry (and free from any oil) pot over medium heat. Add the sesame seeds and stir regularly using a wooden spoon until the sesame seeds take on color, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool down completely.
To toast the walnuts: Heat a dry pot over medium heat. Add the chopped walnuts and cook stirring constantly about 2-3 minutes or until slightly changes color, toasting walnuts will bring out their earthy flavor. Set aside to cool down.
When 40 minutes have passed on simmering the dried figs in syrup, add the toasted sesame seeds, walnuts and the raw pine nuts. Stir well to fully combine the ingredients. Simmer for 1 more minute and set aside to cool down. Transfer to sterilized canning jars and seal tightly. Refrigerate.
