Fig preserves
December 9, 2014 • Category: Pantry
An easy and quick homemade jam to make for a holiday party and present as a special gift. This jam (called m’rabbah al teen) was always taken out of the cupboard by my grandmother (and later my aunts) for a bit of sweetness at night after dinner with a piece of bread or kaak.(dry cookie) . It makes a wonderful treat and cooks in 30 minutes or so.
INGREDIENTS:
• 1 pound dried figs, cut up in large pieces
• 1 cup walnuts, soaked in water one hour, drained and chopped in large pieces
• ¾ cup sesame seeds, toasted in a skillet over gentle heat
• ½ tbsp. ground anise
• 3 mastic pebbles, crushed in a mortar with a dash of sugar till powdery
• 1 ½ cup sugar, 1 ½ cups water
• ½ tbsp. fresh lemon juice, strained
1. Place the sugar and water in a heavy-bottomed pan. As soon as the syrup boils, add the lemon juice and stir for a second. If you find some froth at the top, discard it. Add the anise and the walnuts; add the cut up figs. Simmer the mixture gently for about 15 minutes or so, stirring frequently so as not to let it stick to the bottom of the pot.
2. When the syrup has almost evaporated, add the sesame seeds. Stir for a few minutes until the mixture is very thick. Turn off the heat, add the ground mastic and stir vigorously to mix it well. Let the mixture cool. Pour into a sterilized jar and close tightly. It will keep for up to one year. After opening the jar, store in the fridge.
Comments
5 Comments • Comments Feed
Sylva T. says:
Scrumptious! This is the best recipe, and a crowd pleaser.
On December 9, 2014 at 6:13 am
Rosa says:
A wonderful treat and recipe!
Cheers,
Rosa
On December 9, 2014 at 8:36 am
Susan says:
I love the combination of figs and walnuts. This would be a wonderful treat!
On December 11, 2014 at 10:25 pm
Oui, Chef says:
Hmmmm…looks fabulous, what could I substitute for the mastic pebbles?
On December 14, 2014 at 2:55 pm
Joumana says:
@Oui, Chef: just omit them. The resin fragrance of the mastic is so distinct, it is impossible (or at least I have not been able to) to substitute it with something else. The jam will still be delicious without it.
On December 14, 2014 at 5:45 pm