Fig Leaf Simple Syrup

 

6 ounces light brown sugar

6 ounces demerara sugar

6 ounces raw honey

Two fig leaves, de-stemmed, about the size of your hand

 

Pick leaves that are not fully mature, but have been on the tree for a few days. The picked end of the leaf will ooze a sap. Try not to touch the sap, but if you do, simply wash your hands. Rinse the leaves making sure to rinse away as much sap as possible. Put 20 ounces of water in a saucepan. Add sugars and honey and bring to a slow boil. Once all sugar and honey have completely dissolved, add in two fig leaves and stir. Let them steep for a couple of hours or until liquid is cool enough to handle. Strain, store in sterilized jar and refrigerate. Keep in your fridge for up to a month.

 

• Drizzle it on oatmeal, cream of wheat or grits for breakfast.
• It is also a lovely topping for pancakes and waffles.
• Use it in a cocktail, I want to create something with chocolate vodka and fig leaf syrup.
• It is delicious on a soft tangy cheese such as a goats cheese.
• Pair it with a tangy cheese, apple slices, and pistachios for a lovely bruschetta topping.
• Whisk it into a salad dressing. I combined it with olive oil, honey mustard, shallots, salt, pepper, and vinegar to make a delicious salad dressing.
• Add it to some yogurt with fresh fruit and nuts for a healthy snack.
• Make a batch of pumpkin or apple fritters and give them a quick dip in some fig leaf syrup.