Figs, with their mellow flesh and the crunchy touch of their seeds, are a pleasure for all the senses. Not only that, but they are succulent and provide us with energy, vitamins, minerals and fibre.
Thanks to their unique taste and nutritional value, they are unlike any other fruit on the market today.
Today we would like to tell you about their origin and history.
A bit of history
Figs are a delicious and nutritious fruit that have been appreciated by humans for thousands of years. And not only are they delicious, but they also have a long and fascinating history.
The fig tree is believed to have originated in the Middle East or Asia Minor and has been cultivated throughout the Mediterranean region for centuries. Figs have been enjoyed since ancient times and are even mentioned in the Bible.
Scholars believe they were one of the first plants domesticated by man. They reached the Mediterranean region, and consequently the rest of the world, through human migration.
In ancient times, figs were an important source of food for many peoples. They were also used for medicinal purposes to treat various ailments.
It has been present in Greece for centuries. There it is known as the "fruit of the philosophers", because it was valued by those who knew how good it tasted!
The ancient Egyptians believed that figs were a gift from God and consumed them to maintain good health.
The symbolism of figs
For centuries, figs have been associated with peace, prosperity and fertility.
In ancient Greece and Rome, figs were an important part of the diet, and the trees were often planted near houses as a symbol of good luck.
Today, figs still play an important role in some religions.
In Christianity, the fig tree is associated with paradise, and in Islam it is considered a symbol of purity. In Hinduism, the tree is considered sacred, and in Judaism, it is a symbol of abundance. Buddhists also hold the fig tree in high esteem, believing that it was under a fig tree that Buddha attained enlightenment. Whether eaten or simply admired, figs have always been prized for their beauty and symbolism.
Figs today
Today, figs remain popular and are grown in many parts of the world. The main producers of figs are Turkey, Egypt, Greece, Morocco and Spain. There are more than 700 varieties of fig trees worldwide, and about 300 of them are grown for human consumption.
Figs are a good source of fibre and other nutrients, and can be enjoyed in many different ways. Whether eaten fresh, dried or in a recipe, figs are a delicious and nutritious food.
They pair excellently with red meats, poultry, fish and cheeses. They are also an excellent ingredient in all kinds of desserts and cakes. On our blog, you will find many recipes
Figs have been around for centuries and are a delicious and nutritious fruit. They are also full of history and can be enjoyed in many different ways. We hope you try them for yourself and let us know what you think on our social networks - thanks for reading!
It's summer, the middle of August and we're in "holiday mode". It's quite hot and we feel like eating light, fresh and, above all, quick to prepare, to avoid spending long hours in the kitchen.
Today we want to share with you a fresh, healthy and delicious snack that you can prepare in 5 minutes... (Or less).
Why is this recipe especially for athletes?
This snack is a great option for athletes, as it provides them with carbohydrates, protein and healthy fats.
Whipped cream cheese contains a high protein content, mostly casein, a slow-absorbing protein. Skimmed cheese is the perfect non-fat substitute for cream. It is gluten-free, which also makes it ideal for coeliacs.
It also has no added sugar. The sweetness of our snack has been achieved thanks to the sweetness of our El Pajarero dried figs, another food rich in iron, magnesium and calcium that will give you everything your muscles need.
Another advantage of this recipe is that you don't need a long list of ingredients, you don't have to use heat and you'll have it ready in just a few minutes. So if you're short on time or just looking for something new to try, this recipe will be perfect for you. Without further ado, let's get started!
Ingredients for two servings
- 200g 0% fat whipped cream cheese or the one of your choice
- 6 dried figs "El Pajarero"
- 80g ripe mango
- 1 golden or green kiwi
- 2 large strawberries
- Chia seeds
- Optional: honey, banana and seasonal fruits of your choice.
Preparation
Cut the figs in half. The advantage of our El Pajarero dried figs is that as they are small, you won't need many cuts.
Peel the mango and dice it. Do the same with the kiwi, strawberries and any other fruit you have decided to add.
Once you have the fruits ready, separate the whipped cream cheese into two bowls (100 grams each). Spread the fruit on top of the whipped cheese and here's a tip: if you play with the colours of the fruit, it will be even more appetising ;)
Set aside in the fridge for a couple of minutes.
Before eating, sprinkle with chia seeds. Another option is to add chopped walnuts.
As mentioned above, this recipe is sugar-free. The sweetness will be achieved with our El Pajarero dried figs. And also if the fruits you have added are at the right point of ripeness.
However, if you think it lacks sugar, you can pour a thin trickle of honey on top. It will give it a delicious and natural touch.
This recipe is perfect for summer and as you can see, it is very easy to make, just mix all the ingredients and enjoy!
If you ask anyone about the minerals our bodies need, they will probably mention calcium, sodium and iron. But what about potassium? This essential mineral is another must-have that our bodies need to function properly. In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at it and discover some of its benefits.
Potassium plays essential roles in the stability of the body's heart rhythm, nervous system and muscles.
The good news is that it is found in many foods we eat every day. By consuming the right amount, your body will have all the potassium it needs to stay healthy.
Main functions of potassium
Potassium plays multiple roles in the body. Without potassium, our body would not be able to function as it should.
- Helps regulate blood pressure
- Stimulates nerve impulses
- It is involved in the production of proteins
- Helps eliminate organic waste
- Helps process carbohydrates
- Has a diuretic effect
- Supports muscle function
- Helps the permeability of membranes
- Contributes to nerve transmission
- Aids in the transport of oxygen to the brain
Some of its benefits
Normal bodily functions depend on the tight regulation of potassium concentrations inside and outside cells. This has many benefits, some of them are:
- A diet rich in potassium and calcium reduces blood pressure. High blood pressure can have many detrimental effects on the heart, blood vessels and kidneys.
- It helps regulate the heartbeat. Potassium is essential for this function because it helps maintain electrical activity within cells, especially muscle cells. In fact, two-thirds of the body's total potassium supply is stored in the muscles.
- Potassium aids muscle contraction by causing muscles to contract more forcefully than they would at rest when they are ready for action - think of muscles contracting during exercise, but with much greater force than they would under normal circumstances.
- As potassium is a mineral that behaves as an electrolyte, if you play sport or are exposed to rigorous exercise, it is normal to lose fluids and electrolytes after prolonged exertion. Therefore, in addition to consuming potassium, it is essential to drink water to recover and prevent muscle cramps.
- Potassium is important for maintaining healthy bones. It aids protein synthesis and helps maintain a healthy pH balance in the body. Potassium also helps build the minerals that make up bones.
- Potassium is an essential nutrient that helps fight fatigue. Low levels of potassium can lead to a feeling of tiredness and lethargy, so it is important to make sure you get enough of this essential nutrient each day.
What foods contain the most potassium?
Some foods rich in potassium include:
- Broccoli, spinach, cabbage and other green leafy vegetables
- Dried figs, nuts and others dried fruit
- Grapes, fresh figs and blackberries
- Carrots and potatoes
- Bananas and plantains
- Whole grains
- Lentils and pulses
- Oranges and other citrus fruits
- Milk and its derivatives
- Red meat and poultry
- Fish such as salmon, cod and sardines. etc.
In the second part of this article we will tell you how much potassium you should consume per day, which are the main foods that contain the most and how much potassium they provide. In the meantime, we will tell you more on our social networks:
See you soon!
Start your day with a delicious, nutritious and easy to prepare breakfast. These pear and dried fig pancakes will give you the energy you need to get through the morning. They're loaded with fibre, protein and antioxidants, making them the perfect way to start your day. Best of all, they're delicious. So try them today and let us know.
Without further ado, let's get cooking!
Ingredients
5 El Pajarero dried figs
3 tablespoons of oats (30 g)
2 eggs
2 medium pears
Toppings (optional) Here are some suggestions at the end of the recipe
Preparation
First wash and cut the peeled pears into small cubes and the El Pajarero dried figs into small pieces.
Then mix the oat flakes with the eggs. We will obtain a semi-liquid preparation.
Next, add the figs and pears to the previous mixture.
Heat a non-stick frying pan and add a very small amount of oil or butter (just enough so that they do not stick together). Then with a large spoon, add two or three tablespoons of the preparation, the amount depends on the size of the pancake you prefer and also on the size of your frying pan.
Cook over medium heat for a couple of minutes. When they turn lightly golden brown, you can flip them over. They cook quite quickly.
They are delicious on their own, but you can add toppings if you prefer. We have tried them with walnuts and one of these:
Dulce de leche
Grated bitter chocolate
Cream (or whipped cream)
A scoop of vanilla ice cream
If you add a different topping to the ones we have suggested, let us know. We are always looking for new combinations :)
Ready to try these delicious El Pajarero pear and dried fig "pancakes"? We're sure you're going to love them!
We'd love to hear what you think on our social networks.
If you're looking for a recipe of Oporto chicken with dried figs, you may find many recipes, especially in books (or blogs) relating to French cuisine. Dried figs, due to their versatility, are very popular in European countries, that’s why people use them often.
Still, we have prepared this recipe to make it as easy as possible step by step. It’s likely that this will be the easiest chicken Oporto with dried figs recipe you’ll find on the internet.
Now without further ado, let’s reveal our special recipe. We hope you'll be surprised by this amazing combination of flavors. It’s pretty easy to make. Let 's go!
Ingredients for four servings
- 4 hind quarters of free-range chicken
- 200 grams of dried figs El Pajarero
- 200 ml of water or broth
- 200 ml Oporto wine
- 50 ml apple vinegar
- Rosemary, salt and black pepper
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 300g of fine peas for garnish
Preparation
Marinate the figs in the port and vinegar at least one hour in advance.
Once marinated, drain the figs and put them apart. Keep the juice from the marinade.
Meanwhile, add two tablespoons of olive oil in a frying pan covering the entire base. While it's heating, season the chicken with salt, black pepper and rosemary. Brown the chicken on both sides.
While the hindquarters are browning, take the liquid left over from the marinade, mix it with water, cook it and reduce it until you get a dense sauce.
Finally mix it with the figs.
As the figs El Pajarero (variety calabacita) are small in size, we introduce them whole in the reduced sauce and put them aside for a few minutes. We left the stalks, but if you prefer, you can remove them before soaking them in Oporto.
Now it is time to serve. On a bed of sauce, place a portion of chicken and some figs on top. You can add a few drops of sauce if you like.
Leave room for the fine peas, which should be steamed with a pinch of salt. And if you prefer, drizzle them with a few drops of olive oil.
As a suggestion, serve it with a mixed seasonal vegetables salad. It combines perfectly with the sweet and sour flavor of the chicken with dried figs in Oporto.
If you've worked up an appetite, come on, let's get cooking!
Most people think that dried figs, in gastronomy, are only used for baking. When you prepare this delicious salad, you will see why they are so delicious in all kinds of recipes. To make this easy and nutritious dish, you will need few ingredients and little preparation time. Don't miss it because it's delicious.
You will only need dried figs, cured Iberian ham, corn, lettuce varieties and Parmesan cheese (or another cheese of your choice).
You can already find El Pajarero dried figs in several supermarkets, take advantage of them in this delicious fresh salad combining them with seasonal products. Dried figs, because of their sweetness, are perfect to combine with the other ingredients. The contrasting flavor is perfect. And the sum of them allows to create a delicate texture. Here is the recipe. Take note, you will love the outcome.
Ingredients
15 dried figs El Pajarero
50 gr of Parmesan cheese
Variety of lettuce or lamb's lettuce
Corn to taste
Olive oil to taste
50 gr of Iberian ham
Black pepper
Salt
Preparation
Remove the sticks from the dried figs and cut them in half. Set aside. Wash the lettuce (or lamb's lettuce), drain well and once dry, distribute them in a large bowl or plate. It will be the base of the salad.
Next, cut the Iberian ham into slices of medium thickness and then chop it with a knife or your fingers. Remember that a freshly sliced ham will always have more flavor than a packaged one. Place it on top of the lettuce or lamb's lettuce.
Continue with the rest of the ingredients. On top of the lettuce and ham, scatter the corn, the amount you prefer. Then cut the Parmesan cheese into small, thin pieces and place it on top of the lettuce, ham and corn, so that it blends with the rest of the ingredients.
Finally, we will crown the salad with the El Pajarero dried figs already cut in halves.
Season with salt, a pinch of black pepper and a drizzle of olive oil to your liking. However, we recommend that you do not season too much, because all the ingredients, by themselves, have an intense flavor.
In a few minutes, you will have a luxury salad ready to eat, you just need to taste it! Give yourself a little treat.
If you're a sandwich person, you're going to love this one, especially because it's quick, easy and delicious.
For one of those days when you don't feel like cooking, this dried fig and roast chicken sandwich (you can use leftover chicken) will come in handy.
To prepare it we will need a small amount of shredded chicken meat, a few slices of dried figs, fresh herbs, nuts, creamy cream cheese spread, a barely roasted eggplant, nuts and a good loaf of bread.
Ingredients
The quantities listed below are adequate for a medium/large sandwich. We give you this information so that you can get the ingredients for the quantity of sandwiches you need.
100 g roasted chicken
3 tablespoons spreadable cream cheese
3 tablespoons red onion
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
4 fresh mint leaves
4 dried figs variety El Pajarero
1 eggplant, sliced and lightly roasted
A spoonful of ground peanuts or walnuts, not too small
If you like it spicy, add fresh or dried chili to taste
Salt
Preparation
First, shred the chicken with the help of a fork. Season to taste with salt, pepper and if you want to give it a spicy touch, sprinkle in some chili flakes.
Afterwards, wash and cut the eggplant in medium slices, put it on a griddle and after a few minutes turn it over. While the eggplant is grilling, finely chop the onion, then mix it with the fresh cheese spread with the chopped red onion, olive oil and two mint leaves, also chopped.
Toast the bread, then spread the fresh cream cheese and spread on top the shredded chicken, the sliced dried figs, the roasted eggplants with a few drops of olive oil, the chopped nuts, the other two chopped mint leaves and close with the top of the bread.
You will get a delicious vegetable sandwich with dried figs, chicken and vegetables. You'll surely want to make it again!
This apple and dried fig tart is a delicious recipe to enjoy in any season. This tart has a very fresh base as its main ingredient is apple.
The base of the apples with the dried figs makes for a soft and creamy textured dish. In addition to the softness, the figs will bring an extra amount of fiber.
Here are the ingredients you will need and how to prepare it. It's very simple.
Recipe for apple and dried figs El Pajarero tart.
Ingredients:
3 Reineta or Golden apples
2 eggs
14 dried figs
150 gr flour
100 gr of brown sugar
1 sachet of baking powder
2 tablespoons cinnamon powder
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
1 tablespoon of pistachios, finely chopped
Butter
How to prepare an apple and dried figs tart
Firstly, peel the apples, cut them into pieces and put them in the blender.
Take the apples and add brown sugar, eggs and flour. Begin to blend until we get a doughy mixture. The crushed apples should combine with the dough, this is useful for giving a certain creaminess to the dough, as well as hydrating it.
Finally, add the yeast to the dough, to achieve the necessary consistency and creaminess. Once we have all the ingredients of the dough ready, grease the mold with butter and we will put the dough in it. Let it rest for a few minutes in the refrigerator while we prepare the dried figs.
Cut the figs in half into regular pieces. Distribute them evenly over the top of the cake without leaving any holes. Bake the tart for about 40 minutes until the dough is perfectly cooked.
Decorate the cake with a little powdered sugar and cinnamon, you can add a little honey, or some fruit jelly. Finally, sprinkle some ground pistachios, which will give the perfect touch both to the presentation and to the flavor. All these ingredients go very well with each other.
Time to enjoy!
Today we would like to talk about the benefits our fig bread provides, what ingredients it contains and why it's good for your health.
Dried figs, even if they can be eaten alone, they can also be enjoyed as a base for other foods, as it's the case in "Fig bread El Pajarero"
which, besides containing dried figs also contains nuts, almonds, sultana raisins, cinnamon and anise grains. It's considered a great option for those who are looking for a healthy, tasty and natural snack.
All these ingredients make it an energetic and toning food that contains many health benefits, specially, it can help improve digestive health and issues with constipation.
With its compact dough and its delicious flavor, fig bread is the perfect snack for anyone who is looking for a gluten free, vegan or vegetarian option because even though it's called "fig bread" it doesn't actually contain any wheat.
10 Benefits that the fig bread El Pajarero provides
For this occasion, and so as not to make it too long, we'll only be talking about the ten main benefits of fig bread with dried fruits, but there are many more, no doubt about it. In another article we'll go into more details about it.
1. It gives you energy and vitality, it's perfect to start the day or to give you a burst of energy between meals.
2. Fig bread is rich in fiber, which makes it an excellent solution for constipation issues.
3. Eating it before a meal can help control hunger and cravings during the main course.
4. If you are an athlete, exercise often or require a lot of energy, its calories make it an ideal snack.
5. Fig bread contains vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, C, E, and vitamin K. It is also rich in potassium, iron and calcium.
6. It does not contain gluten or lactose, so it can be consumed by people with celiac disease or intolerance without any risk.
7. Fig bread is a food with beneficial properties for intestinal traffic and health in general, so its regular consumption can be very positive.
8. It provides energy, minerals and fiber, which in turn helps cardiovascular function.
9. If you have iron deficiency, it can be a good natural remedy.
10. Dried figs provide an important amount of antioxidants that support the immune system.
Fig bread with nuts is a perfect snack for any time of day or night. Besides the benefits it offers for our health it's a good option for those who are looking for alternatives that come from healthy ingredients. Another important point is that they contain a very high nutritional value that doesn't get lost, since it's been proven dried figs can be preserved for long periods of time.
Nonetheless, if you've got any health issues, it's important that you check in with your doctor if this is a favorable food for you.
Let us know if you've already tried it! ;)
Autumn is here and the heat is gone. Preparing delicious dishes, cakes, cookies and baked desserts and being more at home is a lot more appealing. We bring you an extraordinary recipe for you to prepare for your family and friends, totally natural and healthy cookies you can impress your guests with.
The star ingredient is dried figs, with which you will also provide calcium, magnesium, fiber, etc.
The recipe is easy. Below we tell you the ingredients you will need so that you can anticipate and get everything before you start, at the bottom you will find the step-by-step guide. Let's go!
Ingredients
For the dough:
100 g flour
100 g whole wheat flour
Half a teaspoon of ground cardamom
A quarter teaspoon of baking soda
A pinch of salt
140 g butter
60 g brown sugar
3 egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
3 tablespoons of honey
Orange zest to taste
For the filling:
Dried figs 400 g
Orange juice 4 tablespoons
Orange zest
Lemon zest
Sugar 2 tablespoons
Cinnamon 1 teaspoon
Peeled almonds 40 grams
Triple sec liqueur (or triple sec)
Preparation
In a bowl, hydrate the dried figs with hot water.
Meanwhile, prepare the dough. First beat the butter with brown sugar. Then add the egg yolks, honey, vanilla essence and orange zest. Finally, add the mixed and sifted dry ingredients and mix in the dough without kneading it yet. Then wrap the dough in plastic wrap and put it in the refrigerator.
Return with the figs, strain them and mix with the orange juice, zest, sugar and chopped almonds. You can add a little triple sec liqueur to obtain that delicious orange flavor.
On a floured kitchen paper, stretch the dough into a rectangle, leaving approximately 4 mm thick. Place a cylinder of filling on the dough and wrap them. Join and close the dough with the dough, pressing it with your fingers.
Repeat the operation forming several cylinders.
Bake one or more cylinders in a medium oven for about 12 minutes, remove from the oven and cut immediately into rounds of 1 to 2 cm.
Finally, sprinkle them with powdered sugar, now they are ready to enjoy!