Figs are the fruit of a large deciduous tree native to Asia and the Mediterranean and cultivated throughout the world. The fruit is soft and sweet, with a pleasant and distinctive flavor.
Figs are high in natural sugars, minerals and soluble fibre. Figs are rich in minerals including potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron and copper and are a good source of antioxidant vitamins A, E and K that contribute to health and wellness.
Health Benefits of Figs
Help Prevent cancer – Flavonoids and antioxidants in figs can reduce cancer cell growth in breasts, colon, and prostate.
Reduce cholesterol – Figs contain a large amount of pectin. This compound is a soluble fiber and acts as a great remedy to beat high cholesterol levels.
Help Prevent high blood pressure – The content of Potassium, Omega 3 and Omega 6 in figs help maintain blood pressure and prevent coronary heart attacks.
Help treat diabetes – Decoction, found in fig leaves can help patients with diabetes reduce the amount of insulin intake.
Skin Health – Figs reduce inflammation and redness of the skin and helps reduce acne.
Weight-loss – High fibre content in figs help control hunger levels and reduce cravings. They are also low in calories. One piece of dried fig gives you just 47 calories. You obtain only 0.2 grams of total fat per dried fig.
Helps you Sleep Better– Figs contain Tryptophan, which helps induce sleep.
Helps Fight Osteoporosis – The calcium and potassium in figs helps prevent bone thinning and increase bone density.
Recipe:
25 dried figs
2 T. neutral oil, I used grape seed
2 T. applesauce
1/4 c. maple syrup
6 T. coconut milk
1 c. oats (ground into flour)
1/4 c. raw buckwheat groats (ground into flour)
1/2 c. brown rice flour
1/4 c. chia seeds (ground into flour)
1 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
1 t. vanilla
15 drops liquid stevia, divided
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
In a saucepan, cover figs with water (just enough that they are still poking out the top of the water). Bring to a boil, shut the heat off, but let pan remain on the stove. Let the pan sit on the burner for about 15 minutes, until cooled a bit. While the figs cool, begin mixing the dough. Mix the dry ingredients (oat flour, buckwheat flour, brown rice flour, chia flour, baking soda, and salt), in one bowl. The chia seeds act as a binder in the dough, but if you prefer flax seeds, they will work as well! Mix the wet ingredients in a separate bowl (oil, applesauce, maple syrup, coconut milk, vanilla, and 8 drops of stevia). Mix all the dough ingredients together (it will be very thick…you will be thinking, ‘wow, I need more milk’, but this is not the case).
Oil an 8 x 8 baking dish. Press half of the dough mixture into the bottom of the dish (you will need to use your hands). Add 7 drops of stevia to the fig mix, stir, and spread atop the bottom dough layer. Finally, dollop the remaining dough onto the fig layer, and, using your hands, carefully spread it out to cover the figs.
Bake for 18-20 minutes, depending on your oven heat, until it starts browning around the perimeter and a toothpick comes out clean.
For the best taste, I would suggest letting them cool completely before cutting.