Mid-week treat! Roast Figs with Chocolate Sauce

From Jennifer Donovan’s Chocolate.

Lovely ripe figs are so easy to find at the moment, so here’s a little inspiration for how to enjoy them. Although there’s few things quite so enjoyable as biting into a juicy fresh fig just as it is, ring the changes and try roasting them – it brings out their sweetness. Combined with a rich chocolate sauce, this is a simple way to an indulgent quick-fix dessert.

Roast Figs with Chocolate Sauce

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 20 minutes
 
75g/2¾oz butter, plus extra for greasing
8 large figs
2 tbsp caster sugar
250ml/9fl oz/1 cup double cream, whipped to soft peaks

For the Chocolate Sauce:
250ml/9fl oz/1 cup double cream
150g/5½oz dark chocolate, broken into pieces
1 tbsp chocolate liqueur (optional)
1 tbsp icing sugar
1 tsp vanilla essence

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/gas 4. Grease an ovenproof dish (large enough to hold the figs) with butter.

2. Cut a cross in the top of each fig, taking care to keep the fig in one piece. Divide the butter into 8 pieces, and place one piece inside each fig. Place the figs in the prepared dish and sprinkle over the caster sugar.

3. Bake in the hot oven for 15–20 minutes, or until the figs are soft but still hold their shape. Remove from the oven and set the baked figs aside in the dish to cool for 10 minutes.

4. Meanwhile, make the chocolate sauce. In a small saucepan, combine the cream and chocolate over a low heat, stirring with a wooden spoon until smooth. Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the liqueur, if using, sugar and vanilla essence.

5. Divide the figs between 4 plates, top with a spoonful of cream, and pour over the rich chocolate sauce.

If chocolate is your weakness Chocolate gives you a superb collection of delicious, luxurious recipes, all of which are easy to follow and simple to make. Whether you’re looking for the perfect way to end a dinner for your family and friends, or just an indulgent treat for yourself, you’ll find a delicious array of options.