Hi Chefs!!
We all are aware of various health benefits of eating fruits. Eating fruits is very important for a healthy lifestyle. Out of numerous varieties of fruits, one such fruit is Fig (Anjeer). Fig (Anjeer) is also called “The fruit of heaven”. It is known to be one of the oldest fruits that humans have ever consumed. It is a soft fruit in a teardrop shape. The outer skin is either Green Or purple in color. Inside has soft mushy pulp with numerous seeds. This fruit is entirely edible. Fig and its leaves – both are packed with nutrients. Fresh figs have a low-calorie count and they contain a variety of minerals including potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, and copper. These are a good source of antioxidants vitamins A and K. So these can be included in your daily diet without guilt. Whereas dried figs are high in sugar and calories because on drying sugar becomes concentrated. Figs can be used in various types of desserts, bread, salads, or can be eaten just like fruit.
Here I bring to you a very delectable recipe of Fig Newtons. Newtons are century-old flaky cookies wrapped around a sweet filling of figs paste. If you do not get fresh figs you can even make them with dried figs. One beautiful thing about this recipe is that you can decide the filing of your choice. Try making it with strawberries, dates, or apples.
What You Need To Make Newtons:
· Measuring cups and spoons
· Baking tray
· Parchment/butter paper
· Bowl
· Cling wrap
· Food processor (if you do not have it, you can mix it with hand)
Figs Compote:
Ingredients:
· Fresh Figs – 250gm
· Brown sugar – 125 gm
· Lemon zest – 1tsp
· Lemon juice – 1tsp
· Vanilla essence – ½ tsp
· Walnuts – 10- 12 (chopped)
· Salt – a pinch
How To Make Figs Compote:
1. Chop the Figs into small pieces.
2. Heat a pan and add the figs and sugar to it.
3. Sugar starts melting. Keep stirring it.
4. Let it cook on medium flame till the syrup becomes thick and reduces to half.
5. Add lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, walnuts, and vanilla essence.
6. Switch off the gas and transfer it to a bowl.
7. Let it cool down.
Newtons Dough:
Ingredients:
· APF/Maida – 2 cups
· Brown sugar – 3 tbsp
· Butter - 100 gm
· Eggs – 2 (if you do not eat eggs substitutes are mentioned in pro tips)
· Baking powder – 1tsp
· Salt – ¼ tsp
· Cinnamon powder – ½ tsp
· Vanilla essence – ½ tsp
How to Make Dough:
1. Add the eggs (keep 2tbsp of egg white aside for later use) and sugar in the food processor and churn it to dissolve the sugar.
2. Now add maida, baking powder, cinnamon powder, salt, and vanilla essence.
3. Now churn it again.
4. Add butter and churn it to combine and make a soft crumbly dough.
5. Transfer the dough to a bowl, cover it and refrigerate it for 10 minutes.
How To Make Newtons:
1. After 10 minutes Take it out on board knead it a little. (at this stage you can refrigerate it for later use. Before using it again let it come to room temperature).
2. Fill your piping bag with the compote and keep it aside.
3. Sprinkle some flour on your work surface.
4. Take one dough ball and flatten it from all sides equally.
5. Cut the edges to give them clean edges.
6. Now spread the compote evenly on your dough at one end lengthwise.
7. Fold the edge of the dough and make a log.
8. Make similar logs from the rest of the dough.
9. Cover them with cling wrap and refrigerate them for half an hour.
10. After the time lag take out your filled dough and cut them equally with a cutter.
11. Mix 2 tbsp of milk to egg white.
12. Place them on a pre-lined baking tray and give them an egg wash.
13. Bake them in a preheated oven at 180°C for 20- 25 minutes.
Enjoy!!
Some pro Tips:
1. Always use measuring cups and spoons for accurate measurements.
2. All the ingredients should be at room temperature.
3. If you do not have fresh figs you can use dried figs. Just add 1/4 cup water with the figs to soften them and follow the rest of the procedure.
4. This compote can be stored and refrigerated and can be used as a spread on toast, or any other deserts.
5. Refrigerating the dough is very necessary to make flaky newtons.
6. If you do not eat eggs you may use:
· 1 egg = 4 tbsp of sweetened condensed milk ( do not add sugar to the dough if using condensed milk)
OR
· 1 egg = 1 tbsp flax seed powder + 3 tbsp water
7. Instead of brown sugar you may use white sugar.
8. Instead of egg wash give 4 tbsp milk + 1 tbsp oil, wash to your newtons before baking.
Happy Baking!!
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