Roasted figs

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C.
2. Gently wipe the figs with a damp kitchen towel and remove the top of the stem. Slice the figs in half lengthways.
3. Place the figs in a single layer in a large baking dish.
4. Add the thyme, Masala, water, honey and zest to the dish; mix well to coat the figs.
5. Cover with foil and roast for 15-30 minutes. Softer figs will need less time to roast.
6. When cooked, remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly. Serve warm or chilled; they can be stored in the refrigerator for several days.

Tips

Figs do not ripen after they are picked, so avoid any that are hard or bruised. They should be soft and give slightly when they are gently squeezed.

Oven-roasting helps to improve figs that aren’t quite perfect, but very under-ripe ones will never be good.