Sensational Side: Fig and Pear Wraps

Fig Pear-Bacon wraps (01) by MeetaK

„When the cat’s away, the mice will play!“

In this case:

Cat = Soeren

Mice = Tom + Me

It’s Fall break here and Soeren is away at his grandparents for the whole week. When Tom came back yesterday evening after dropping Soeren off, I was in the kitchen preparing a few nibbles for us to enjoy over a glass of white wine. We looked at each other and as if we knew what the other was thinking high-fived with huge grins on our faces.

It was 8 PM and on a normal Sunday, we would have already had our dinner, packed the school backpack and Soeren would have been in bed. On a normal Sunday.

This, however was not a normal Sunday, this was a Sunday where there was a slight giddy feeling of freedom. The freedom of breaking free from the normal shackles of routine. The freedom of breaking free from being responsible parents for a few days.

Tom turned up the radio as Katy Perry sang “I kissed a girl and liked it!” grabbed me and we danced in the kitchen like two teenagers!

Fig Pear Diptych by MeetaK

Tom opened a bottle of white wine and both of us enjoyed the evening cooking together, talking (without being interrupted) and just eating and drinking for the rest of the evening without having one eye on the clock.

What do I prepare on such evenings? Something light but elegant, like this fig and pear wrap. An easy but flavorful dish, which I love serving with a variety of soft cheeses, but is also a perfect side for poultry, beef, veal, and fish dishes. It would pair up extremely well with the apple glazed duck filets, or make a fruity side to the veal with creamy mushrooms, or even play off with the flavors of the herbs de Provence in the fried fish Provencal.

For us though it was a loaf of fresh baguette, a bottle of wine, a platter of different cheeses and these exquisite wraps.

Fig Pear Bacon Wraps (03) by MeetaK 

 

Fig, Pear and Bacon Wraps

Ingredients
Printable version of recipe here.

4 small ripe pears, peeled, halved and cores removed
4 ripe figs, halved
200ml white wine
Juice of 1/2 lime
50g sugar
2 tablespoon fig mustard, substitute with any other mustard like Dijon
8 slices bacon
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1 tablespoon dried rosemary
Salt and fresh cracked pepper

Method

Pour the wine, lemon juice and sugar in a large pot. Place the pear halves into the liquid and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, until the pears have softened. Remove from heat and allow to cool in the liquid.

Pre-heat the oven to 200 degrees C. Keep an oven proof dish ready.

Spread each fig half with a thin layer of mustard, close with a pear half and then wrap each fruit "sandwich" with a bacon slice. Place in the ovenproof dish.

Drizzle with olive oil and maple syrup, sprinkle with salt, pepper and dried rosemary.

Place in the oven and roast for approx. 15 - 20 minutes.

Serve warm.


Verdict

Fig Pear Bacon Wraps (02) by MeetaK

This was a sensational indulgence. Using pears and figs it is perfect for this time of year. If you should find yourself without the kids one evening, seduce your partner with this delicacy. I simply love dishes like this - fruity, tangy with the mustard and smoky with the bacon. The rosemary adds a delicate highlight rounding the entire dish perfectly.

The Monthly Mingle is over at Ruth's Experiments and we're looking for Sensational Sides. This is my contribution to Ruth's brilliant choice.

You might like these sides from WFLH:

RedCabbagePommegranate 02 Sautéed Red Cabbage with Pomegranate Seeds and Cinnamon
Pumkin Tart 05 Pumpkin & Feta Tart
PumpkinHamSalad 03 Roasted Pumpkin & Mushroom Salad

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All photographs and written content on What's For Lunch, Honey? © 2006-2008 Meeta Khurana unless otherwise indicated. | All rights reserved | Please Ask First

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30 comments:

  1. I full agree what a excelent way to do a sensational side dish on a sensational evening.

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  2. A little bit of indulgence never hurt anyone! A wonderful dish with those beautiful cheeses!

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  3. I hope you are enjoying your time together! What a beautiful side dish.

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  4. Oh my gosh! Three of my favorite foods wrapped in beautiful little bundles. Can't wait to try them. And with bread, wine and a little cheese, heavenly.

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  5. A romantic evening for two! That's what every parents deserve once in a while :)

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  6. I've paired figs with lots of foods, but not pears -- yet, that is. After seeing this recipe, I'll be trying it for sure!

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  7. Bacon with figs...oh my! Sign me up, those look great.

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  8. Seems like you had a wonderful time..love the pics..as usual they are tempting and droolworthy.

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  9. Meeta, what an amazing dish! I would love these wraps!

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  10. What an unusual pairing , amazing pict & write-up as usual:) enjoy those precious time!

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  11. Hi Meeta,

    I really enjoyed checking out your blog. I love the bacon and fig combination but have never added pear into this mix, a must try.

    --Marc

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  12. it sounds like you guys had a splendid evening! great job with the little fig & pear parcels... those two are perfect for each other :)

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  13. wow i am drooling over ur pics :). tempting and mouthwatering. u have a trick of clicking pics :)

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  14. Your pictures are truly amazing!! Not too mention the fig and pear combination. Great work!!

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  15. Sounds like a real treat.

    Paz

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  16. Aww, so lovely that you two have time to spend with JUST each other - hooray!! :0)

    Sensationally elegant side dish!

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  17. Children away, hubby in a singing mode, bottle of wine chilled and what do we foodies do.....we cook!!!!
    A lovely meal indeed!!!!

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  18. Thanks for posting this - it looks delicious. I will surely be trying this soon!

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  19. Sounds like u guys had a very romantic evening.
    These looks sooo beautiful.

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  20. Figs, pears, bacon, cheese...mmm... That looks like a really nice treat.

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  21. Now I reallyy need to start cooking with figs! Plus, anything covered in bacon is delish. Loved this post :)

    Sues

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  22. Thanks everyone! We did indeed have a great evening and these little nibbles were just the perfect accompaniment. Hope you all enjoy making this - let me know what you thought!

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  23. Really fantastic!!! I love figs, pears... i think they would be nice with a table of cheese... as a savory dessert

    ana

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  24. Incredible! and so precious those moment.
    Love that array of cheeses with the fig & pear wrap!!

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  25. That looks Fan-freaking-tabulous! Gorgeous little plate of indulgence there. Just lovely. All of those flavors... that's like some serious amusement park for the tastes!

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  26. What a great idea for a romantic evening, thanks for the inspiration!

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  27. Thanks ladies! Yup - this really is a great burst of flavors. Even Tom, who is not always keen on the sweet savory combo really liked this.

    Thanks for your comments!

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  28. This sounds and looks so delicious - the photos are mouthwatering!

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Thank you for visiting What's For Lunch, Honey? and taking time to browse through my recipes, listen to my ramblings and enjoy my photographs. I appreciate all your comments, feedback and input. I will answer your questions to my best knowledge and respond to your comments as soon as possible.

In the meantime I hope you enjoy your stay here and that I was able to make this an experience for your senses.

Hugs
Meeta