Fig is a nutritious fruit that is high in iron. It can be consumed fresh, dry, or cooked and adds a sweet taste to foods and salads. There are many different varieties of salad that can be enhanced by adding figs. Sometimes figs go well with other fruits or vegetables, so one shouldn't be afraid to flex his or her culinary imagination.
A fig and Parmesan salad can be quickly prepared with fresh green or purple figs. Purple figs tend to be sweeter and are usually more easily found. Soft lettuce is mixed with the figs before fresh, thin pieces of Parmesan cheese are added. The fig salad base can then be sprinkled with pine nuts and salt and pepper to taste. This salad can be improved by adding a small amount of olive oil and balsamic vinegar just prior to serving.
Apricot and fig salad is a popular summer fig salad with flavors reminiscent of the cuisine of the French and Mediterranean countryside. Common ingredients are halved and pitted ripe apricots, figs, arugula, and a dash of champagne vinegar. Many chefs prepare this dish with sautéed and marinated apricots, which can intensify the flavor.
Also popular in French cuisine is a fig salad in which figs are mixed with quinoa seeds. Usually, this preparation calls for a cup of cooked quinoa seeds, halved figs, miniature tomatoes, green onions, crushed almonds, mint leaves, and a bit of lemon juice. The ingredients are tossed, and in some variations, the figs are placed on top of the salad. Given the amount of preparation this dish requires it may not be ideal for a quick meal, but for adventurous chefs, it may be a successful fig salad to serve.
Figs can be successfully combined with greens, cheese, nuts, onions, and vinegar. They add sweetness to salads and, in many parts of the world, add an uncommon or exotic flavor. Figs can also be combined with meats, such as thinly sliced Italian ham, and go well with soft cheeses like mild blue cheese, ricotta, or fresh mozzarella. Figs can also be brushed with vinaigrette, for extra flavor, before being added to a salad.
The sweetness of figs can be countered with herbs, bitter greens, and salty ingredients, or can be enhanced by vinegar and olive oil. Many fig salads combine all these tastes but, of course, can be modified to appeal to the diner's palette. Figs are versatile in salads, and those who appreciate their taste should try different combinations and preparations.
