Autumn is coming and we don't go out as much as in summer. We feel like cooking and baking for our family and loved ones. Therefore, today we bring you a delicious recipe with dried figs and rum, to surprise your favorite guests in a special way. Below we tell you what you will need for the cake and the filling.

For the dough Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups flour
   
• 1/3 cup butter
   
• 1 egg
   
• 1 tablespoon sugar
   
• 1/3 of a glass of cold white wine

Preparation 

In a bowl mix the flour and butter. When they are well combined, add the egg, sugar and wine. If necessary you can help yourself with a spatula or wooden spoon. Then knead lightly to obtain a smooth batter and set aside.

For the filling Ingredients 

• 20 dried figs El Pajarero
   
• 2/3 cup sugar
   
• 1/4 cup water

• 1/3 cup rum
   
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Preparation

Place a small saucepan with the water and sugar over medium heat. Meanwhile, cut the figs in half. Then add them to the preparation of water and sugar with the preparation half done. Once they soften, remove them from the heat.

To assemble the cake Preparation

Roll out the dough and place it in a pie dish. Trim the leftovers from the edge and press the bottom with a fork. Place the fig mixture and bake in the oven for 35 to 40 minutes at a high temperature (approximately 270 degrees). Serve warm. It's finger licking delicious! :-)

On these cold afternoons, when we feel like a nice cup of hot coffee or tea, there is nothing better than accompanying it with delicious home-made pastries.

Today we bring you the recipe of an authentic Italian delicacy: Il Buccellato. This delicious ring-shaped cake (also known as bagel) is filled with a variety of nutritious nuts that you can easily get your hands on. 

Ingredients for the dough

• 1 kg wheat flour
   
• 300 gr of sugar
   
• 250 gr lard
   
• 3 eggs
   
• 150 ml milk
   
• 1 sachet of yeast
   
• grated orange peel
   
• vanilla
   
• orange juice

Ingredients for the filling

• 400 gr dried figs El Pajarero
   
• 100 gr of raisins
   
• 150 gr of walnuts or pistachios
   
• 150 gr almonds
   
• 200 gr chocolate pieces
   
• cinnamon 
   
• wine (if you like)

Preparation

1. Place the butter and sugar in a bowl. Add the eggs one by one, then add the flour, the baking powder, and the grated orange peel. Add everything and form a smooth and homogeneous dough. Once you have it, wrap it with non-stick paper and put it in the refrigerator for an hour.

2. Now it is the turn of the filling. In a saucepan, place the dried figs, 1 beaten egg, the raisins, and the rest of the dried fruits, and add some wine if you like. Mix everything together and heat over medium heat for 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and let it cool.

3. Take the dough out of the fridge and roll it out with a rolling pin until it is 1.5 cm thick, form a rectangle and put the filling across the width as if forming a log. Then roll the dough and shape it into a round until you get the shape of a crown or doughnut. Slightly cut the dough crosswise until the filling is just visible.

4. When it has the correct shape, if you have filling left, place it on top. This will ensure that when it comes out of the oven, it will have an excellent color. If you do not have any filling mixture left, you can brush it with beaten egg. Place in the oven at 180º C, cook for 25 minutes, remove from the oven and brush again with the egg or the mixture. Put back in the oven for 5 to 10 more minutes.

5. To decorate, nuts ,cherries in syrup or polished fruit can be placed on top. It is important to serve it cold, because if you serve it hot, the buccellato may crumble.

Enjoy! :-)

Photo: agneau sibon

These original and tasty sandwiches are a perfect surprise for anyone. The gentle sweetness of the dried figs and the perfumed marinade with olive oil are unbeatable. You have to try them.

Preparation time: 10 min

Cooking time: 10 min

Rest time: 15 min

Ingredients for 4 people: 

• 400 g of lamb fillet
   
• 1 handful of arugula
   
• 4 sprigs of coriander
   
• 2 sesame baguettes
   
• 8 slices of sheep milk cheese
   
• 8 dried figs El Pajarero

For the marinade: 

• 1 teaspoon ginger powder
   
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
   
• 1/2 lime
   
• 30 cl olive oil

Preparation

1. First prepare the marinade; mix the olive oil with lime zest juice and the spices. Marinate the lamb filets and let them rest for 15 minutes.

2. Lightly fry the lamb steaks over high heat and drizzle them with the marinade. Continue cooking for 8 minutes over medium heat on both sides. Let the lamb cool down and slice them thinly.

3. Slice the bread and fill it with the arugula, cilantro, sheep milk cheese and diced dried figs Finish the sandwich by adding the lamb meat and enjoy.

Every sunrise is a new beginning, so why not start the day with something special? This morning, we challenge you to prepare pancakes with dried figs and apples. They're sweet, nutritious and, best of all, quick and easy to make! Forget about flour, sugar and milk. All you need are a few simple ingredients and about 10 minutes. And since we'll prepare them in a skillet, you don't have to wait for the oven to heat up.

Let's get cooking!

Ingredients for two servings (for a 18cm diameter pan)

• 3 dried figs El Pajarero
• 3 tablespoons of oatmeal (30 g)
• half a teaspoon of baking powder
• 1 egg (or 2 egg whites)
• Half an apple cut into thin slices
• Cinnamon to taste

Preparation

First of all, combine the oat flakes with the baking powder, add the egg and mix. We'll get a semi-liquid preparation.

Heat a non-stick frying pan and place the mixture.

Cover and cook for 3 to 4 minutes.

Meanwhile, cut the dried figs and apples.

Take the lid off and spread the apple slices all around, following a circular pattern, add the dried figs and sprinkle some cinnamon on top.

Cover again and let it cook for 4 or 5 minutes more.

Meanwhile, enjoy the appetizing aroma of cinnamon and figs cooking while they slowly expand in your pan.

Ready to try this delicious and nutritious recipe?

Serve and enjoy it warm with freshly brewed tea or coffee.

Let us know how it turned out on our social networks! We look forward to hearing your opinion.

Magnesium is an essential micromineral that plays a crucial part in the basic fundamental structural function in human beings. Since it’s present in bones, its balance becomes basic for an adequate function of our organism.

Furthermore, it also regulates our system, we can find magnesium’s implication in many reactions of energy acquisition inside our cells. This micromineral also contributes to the normal functioning of muscle tissue. 

In which part of our bodies is magnesium present?

Magnesium is present in our human bodies, basically in muscle and bone tissue. At the same time, although in small quantities, it is present in our bloodstream and red blood cells. That's why it’s important to assure proper levels of magnesium in our diets.

What food should we consume regularly to get adequate levels of magnesium?

To obtain a good level of magnesium, we can find this micromineral in food such as dried figs, avocados, nuts such as almonds, cashews or pistachios, some seeds such as pumpkin, flax or sesame, unsweetened cocoa powder, white corn, snails, oily fish, herbs and spices, fruits such as grapefruit or lemon, dark bitter chocolate and berries, to cite the most obvious examples.

It should be noted that its multifunctionality means that it comes to play a more or less prominent role in more than 300 reactions that occur in our body, although we may not be aware of them. Just to name a few examples, you will find magnesium in:

• Muscle contraction
• Protein synthesis
• Maintenance of healthy teeth, heart and bones
• Supporting protein formation
• Oxygen transport
• Energy metabolism
• Immune functions
• The intervention of the nervous contraction and in the nervous transmission.

It is therefore of vital importance to ingest the foods mentioned previously. Although in most cases, those who are most concerned about maintaining the correct levels of magnesium are athletes, especially runners,we should all be aware of the consumption of food with magnesium.

What are the consequences of magnesium deficiency?

A large enough magnesium deficiency can cause structural damage to muscle cells, so we can get tired earlier and suffer more fatigue, we can encounter metabolic problems when normal energy is being produced or even, without this micromineral, we could lose the electrolyte balance in our body.

Other effects of a lack of magnesium in our body can be irritability, convulsions, decreased appetite or weakened muscles.

On the other hand, it is important to know that the use of magnesium is particularly useful for people who do sports, who have a high rate of sweating or who train under intense hot weather conditions. Our body eliminates excess magnesium by itself. 

Consuming natural foods such as dried figs (you can find them almost all year round), some nuts, some citrus fruits, avocados (and others mentioned above) can help you get the magnesium levels your body needs. Consult your doctor to know your needs and maintain them properly.

Dried figs can be enjoyed through the better part of the year, as well as their multiple health benefits. This is due to their exceptionally dense nutritional composition.

Dried figs vs. fresh figs

While fresh figs are very popular for their juicy and delicious texture, they are a delicate fruit and are only available for a short period of time each year. Fresh figs are only good for 1-2 weeks after being harvested, and are best enjoyed when eaten within a few days.

Dried figs, on the other hand, can be savored for much of the year. They have a much longer shelf life than fresh figs. They originate from the Middle East, but are also cultivated in many countries. In fact here in Spain, Extremadura is one of the best areas, and it is precisely where our dried figs El Pajarero come from.  

Dried Figs: Nutrition 

Dried figs contain an impressive nutritional range, including high levels of protein, carbohydrates, calcium, vitamin K, potassium, iron and magnesium. In terms of dietary fiber, dried figs have a higher content than any other fruit. Half a cup of dried figs contains almost 200 calories and have barely any fat content. These dried fruits also offer several antioxidants and active ingredients to further improve your health. There are also traces of omega-6 fatty acids, glutamic acid and linoleic acid.

Nutritional Information

The following nutritional information corresponds to 100 grams of raw dried figs

Nutritional value

Water [g] 30.05

Energy [kcal] 249.00

Protein [g] 3.30

Total lipids (fat) [g] 0.93

Carbohydrates, by difference [g] 63.87

Fiber, total diet [g] 9.80

Sugars, total [g] 47.92

Calcium, Ca [mg] 162.00

Iron, Fe [mg] 2.03

Magnesium, Mg [mg] 68.00

Phosphorus, P [mg] 67.00

Potassium, K [mg] 680.00

Sodium, Na [mg] 10.00

Zinc, Zn [mg] 0.55

Vitamin C, ascorbic acid, total [mg] 1.20

Thiamine [mg] 0.09

Riboflavin [mg] 0.08

Niacin [mg] 0.62

Vitamin B-6 [mg] 0.11

Folate, DFE [µg] 9.00

Vitamin B-12 [µg] 0,00

Vitamin A, RAE [µg] 0,00

Vitamin A, IU [IU] 10.00

Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) [mg] 0.35

Vitamin D (D2 + D3) [µg] 0.00

Vitamin D [IU] 0.00

Vitamin K (phylloquinone) [µg] 15.60

Fatty acids, total saturated [g] 0.14

Fatty acids, total monounsaturated [g] 0,16

Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated [g] 0.35

Cholesterol [mg] 0.00

Caffeine [mg] 0.00

Source: USDA

If you want to know the benefits of dried figs, click here.

At Higos El Pajarero we want to share with you one of the secrets of a healthy diet that allows you to be in optimal shape: the consumption of dried figs. These little delicacies are full of properties, vitamins, minerals and other substances with which you will get a perfect health, so get ready to know them a little more.

Properties

The first thing you need to know is the amount of properties that dried figs El Pajarero have. For starters, they are rich in some of the most important minerals for your body. Without going any further, these fruits, when dried, contain large amounts of iron, although this is not their only advantage. On the contrary, calcium and magnesium are also very abundant in figs presented in this way, so they are most suitable to help alleviate many deficiencies in the body.

However, this food also contains a good amount of vitamins that you should not lose sight of. For example, various types of vitamin B are found in high concentrations in this dried fruit, which is ideal for your body health.

Healthy eating

Taking into account these characteristics, it is easy to guess that dried figs are ideal to be able to eliminate certain pathologies. For example, cases of anemia have in this fruit a powerful all-natural medicine due to the presence of iron and vitamin B.

Digestive disorders, especially those with symptoms such as constipation and even heartburn, can also find a solution in the consumption of figs El Pajarero. The reason is none other than the abundant amount of fiber that a regular consumption of this fruit provides, a completely necessary element to enjoy life in a healthy way.

A fig is a bulbous, soft and sweet fruit that comes from different kinds of Ficus trees. Figs are native to East Asia and the Mediterranean, but they can grow in dry or mildly humid climates, hence why places like Extremadura cultivate the best figs of all of Spain.

Dried figs contain hundreds of tiny edible seeds that are greatly appreciated by their texture and the nutrients they add to the fruit. They are consumed all around the world either fresh or dried and can be enjoyed as a tasty and healthy snack or be added to salty or sweet recipes

Five properties that dried figs offer

1) Reducing high cholesterol levels: A study carried out by investigators from the University of Rutgers discovered that dried figs are a great source of phenol and organic fatty acids Omega-3 and Omega-6, which have been proven to lower “bad” cholesterol LDL and the risk of heart disease
 
2) It contains more dietetic fiber than any other fruit: Figs provide 20% of your daily dose of fiber, which is more than any other fresh or dried fruit. Figs are particularly rich in soluble fiber like pecticine, which has been proven to be efficient in lowering cholesterol. A study published by The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found out that consuming soluble fiber often, especially pecticine, can help reduce the risk of heart disease.
 
3) Include dried figs in your 5 a day: Two dried figs count as a fruit serving in your 5 a day, the program that encourages people to have at least 5 pieces of fruit and vegetables everyday. The 5 a day program.
 
4) Powerful antioxidants: Dried figs are rich in antioxidants, which protect our cells caused by free radicals. A study published recently in Journal of the American College of Nutrition found out that the antioxidant properties in figs canceled out negative oxidizing stress in blood flow caused by corn syrup and the fructose found in sodas.
 
5) More benefits for your health: Dried figs are rich in potassium, calcium and magnesium which can help control blood pressure, encourage bone development and control sugar levels in your blood. Figs are also a good source of probiotics, which stimulate useful bacteria that live in our intestines and help our digestive system.

How to eat them?

Dried figs can be enjoyed as a delicious snack, since it provides many health benefits as stated before. The natural sweetness and unique texture also makes them into a great addition to sweet or savory meals. For an exceptional delicacy, try adding dried figs to goat’s cheese and caramelized onions. In this blog, you will find many recipes.

They can also be baked into breads, bread rolls and cookies, or minced in rice plates with meat.

In Higos Secos El Pajarero we want to share with you one of the greatest secrets for a healthy diet that will allow you to be in shape: the consumption of dry figs. These little delicacies are full of great properties,vitamins, minerals and many other substances which will give you great health, so get ready to get to know them a bit better.

Properties

The first thing you should know is that the figs El Pajarero have many properties. For starters, they are rich in some of the most important minerals for your body. In fact, these fruits when dry contain great quantities of iron, although it’s not their only advantage. On the contrary, calcium and magnesium are also greatly abundant in dry figs, and so they end up being great to make up for vitamins and minerals you’re not getting.

This food also contains a good quantity of vitamins that you shouldn’t ignore. For example, multiple kinds of vitamin B can be found in high doses in this dry fruit, something ideal for your health.

A healthy diet to prevent illness

Keeping in mind all of these characteristics, it’s easy to guess that dry figs are ideal to aid some pathologies. For example, anemia can be mitigated in a natural way because of the powerful doses of iron and vitamin B. Digestive issues, especially the ones that can cause constipation or acidity, can be fixed by consuming figs El pajarero. That’s because of the fiber that regular consumption of this food can give to your body, an element completely necessary to enjoy a healthy life.

Dried figs are one of those foods that hide more secrets behind their simple appearance and their sweet flavor. They are full of nutrients and some properties capable of improving the health of anyone.

This fruit is an essential element if you want to enjoy a healthy diet in every sense of the word.

Nutritional values of dried figs

Here is where the real secret of figs can be found. The sweet and tasty substances that can be found in these fruits, are excellent to balance your diet and make it a lot healthier. For starters, the high concentration of fiber in this food is very high, it’s hard to find any other fruit that offers so much fiber in such a direct way. Selenium is one of the most present minerals in a fig.

Flavonoids are elements capable of protecting the organism from many illnesses, they can be found very concentrated in this little fruit capable of making them anyone’s favorite. Nonetheless, very few know that figs are one of the fruit that contain the most calcium, another reason that just by itself makes its consumption recommendable.

Beneficial properties for your health

Fiber, calcium, selenium and many other elements are necessary to have a healthy diet, and the protagonists of these elements are figs. Now, the presence of these substances offers countless healthy qualities that must be taken into account. In these we can mention: 

1) It’s excellent to have a great energy level due to its high carb count and how easy it is to assimilate.

2) They are practically fat-free, which makes them a perfect food to keep body weight in check.

3) Its consumption favors elimination of toxins generated by other food and it also prevents some kinds of cancer thanks to its high antioxidant concentration found in its pulp.

4) Lastly, its calcium content is excellent to strengthen bones in the body, scaring away degenerative illnesses like artrosis.

In conclusion, consuming dried figs is a gift, not only for your health but for your palate, and so they should be a part of everyone’s diet.