"Figs are restorative. The
best food that can be taken by those who are brought low by long sickness and
are on the way to recovery. They increase the strength of young people, preserve
the elderly in better health and make them look younger with fewer wrinkles,"
Pliny, Roman historian (62-113 A.D.).
As a child I detested figs. We had a fig tree on the farm and there always seemed to be fig jam in the cupboard when all the other jam jars were empty. I just didn't like the taste. Amazing how our taste buds change as we become adults. Now I love figs. Bryan on the other hand has always said he hates figs. Fortunately for him there is never an abundance of them in New Zealand. When they are available in the last days of summer they are about $1.50 each so when I do buy them I keep them all to myself.
Today I decided to make grilled fig and haloumi sandwiches for lunch. The figs I bought yesterday were sweet but not strong tasting, I thought he'll never notice there is fig in his sandwich. Wrong. A third of way into the sandwich he said "I hate figs". I said "I didn't think you'd notice because they aren't that strong and the sweetness of the fig goes so well with the salty haloumi". "But it's the texture I hate" he said.
The idea for this sandwich originates with Clotilde's Fig and Mozzarella Warm Sandwich .
GRILLED FIG AND HALOUMI SANDWICH
(for 2 people)
Bread (buns, panini, baguette,pitta would all be suitable)
2 figs
6 slices haloumi cheese dipped in plain flour
1 cup of rocket leaves
olive oil
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Brush bread on both sides with a little oil.
Cut figs into quarters and sprinkle with a little sugar and cinnamon.
Place figs under a grill to caramelise.
Grill bread on both sides.
While bread is grilling fly haloumi slices in a lightly oiled fry pan until brown on both sides.
Place half the rocket leaves onto one slice of grilled bread.
Top with haloumi slices and figs.
Cover with top slice of grilled bread and serve immediately.
