TO UTILISE DRIED FIGS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6936, 27 October 1900, Page 3

TO UTILISE DRIED FIGS.

During the winter season dried figs are Invaluable as a nourishing food, and cooking will improve even what might bo considered poor figs, provided they are in fairly good condition. The quality of figs varies greatly, the best have a thin skin, and are rich and sweet ; those with very thick skin lack in richness ; but even among the most expensive qualities one finds occasionally a sour one. This is due to Its imperfect condition when dried ; it was either unripe or over-ripe. " Pulled figs " are those which are simply di-ied in their natural shape, and are of all qualities, but these look better when cooked than the pressed-flat kinds. In cooking figs it must be remembered tha| their moisture has been taken from them by exposure to heat, but this is all they have lost, their sweetness and luscious llavour being retained. Dried figs must, therefore, be washed in warm water to remove any grit or soil from them, then soaked in cold water from -ten to fifteen hours in a warm room till they have expanded to their original size. This will much improve their appearance and flavour; then, if wiped with a clean linen cloth, they will be found much to resemble fresh figs, and can be eaten raw or cooked accordingly, either whole or cut in pieces. ' A good pudding sauce can be made by cutting the dried figs into halt-inch squares, and standing them well covered with water for twelve hours, then cooking them in it ; or, if preferred, only part of the water can be used for stewing them, and before serving them some cream or rich milk can be added to the sauce. * Dried figs are more wholesome than many other fruits, and having been "well soaked may bs used for nursery puddings instead of currants or raisins. It is better to cut figs rather small, so that no piece, if it escapes proper mastication, can cause indigestion ; figs have laxative properties, and many a dose of medicine to children may be saved by their timely use ; • consequently they must not be given should there be any tendency to diarrhoea. Dried figs are excellent when cooked with rhubarb. The flavours assimilate wonderfully, and this dish "will generally find favour as a change from other stewed fruits.