I vividly remember a conversation I had with a fellow food photographer/food blogger a few years ago about figs. Food talk with fellow food bloggers? I didn’t intend for this an “f” alliteration, but doesn’t it sound like it could be the title of a food column? Yes? Anyways, I’ll get back on track about all this fig talk. I have a tendency to get off track at times and figuring all this out during the blog post will give you a better idea of how my crazy mind works.
Anyways, fig talk, yes, figs. Around this time of year, our figs are dripping with fruit and I was telling this person how I love figs and how much I love photographing figs. Figs are sexy, beautiful and I just can’t get enough of photographing and seeing them in images.
This food blogger responded by telling me that fig pictures are over-rated (or something to that point) and said that everyone always has a default fig picture to show off. This person was tired of seeing figs pictures. And this person was tired of seeing egg pictures in baskets, ribbons around cookies and a few other examples of popular food styling that I was clearly “guilty” of.
It took me a few moments to think about how to respond. All my mind could whisper was “…but…but…i love fig pictures. and I have a whole Lightroom folder of ribbon-ed cookies and basket-ed eggs!”.
I quickly realized that no matter what anyone’s opinions are about what other people are doing online, I respect their choice and I clearly have the option to read their content or not. So rather than sit and make fun of other people and what they are doing, why don’t we just surround ourselves with content that we love. Why waste time looking/reading/following others and their content that we don’t like or agree with? Oy, such silly questions have easy answers.
So in the spirit of always being true to yourself and doing what you love and not being hurt by outside criticism (cliche ideas, maybe?), I’m here to tell you that I FREAKING LOVE FIG PICTURES (dammit) and I will continue to share them whether or not some people make fun of them.
And so here you have it, a crap load of fig pictures to look at and a really good fig bruschetta recipe that goes along with it!
So to all you fig picture haters, take that.
Nothing but love and #TeamFig ,
diane
luscious, sexy figs
Joy of figs here
#TeamFig
More Fig Recipes:
Roasted Figs with Sage and Wine Recipe
Fig Pecan Sticky Buns Recipe
Rosted Fig and Goat Cheese Ice Cream Recipe
Fig Focaccia Recipe
Marinated Fig Salad Recipe
The addition of the fig compote on the bruschetta adds another layer of wonderful fig flavor and texture. But if you don't have time to make the fig compote, plenty of fresh, sweet figs on top will be equally delicious.
- 1/2 pound (225g) ripe figs
- 2 Tablespoons (30ml) balsamic vinegar , divided
- 1 Tablespoon (15g) brown sugar
- Crusty bread loaf or baguette , sliced thin or grilled (optional)
- Olive Oil for brushing the bread , if you are serving it grilled
- 5-6 ripe figs , quartered
- 1 cup (240ml) Ricotta Cheese
- 1/4 cup (60ml) chopped pecans
- Fresh thyme leaves
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Preheat the oven to 400°F.
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Slice the tough stems off of the figs then slice the figs into quarters. Place the figs in a baking dish and toss with one Tablespoon of balsamic vinegar and brown sugar. Cover the baking dish with foil and roast for 15-20 minutes or until the figs are soft.
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When cool enough to handle, puree the figs in a food processor or blender with the remaining tablespoon of balsamic vinegar (feel free to add more balsamic to taste). Put puree in a bowl and place in fridge to cool until ready to use
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If you are grilling the bread: heat the grill and lightly brush each sides of sliced bread with olive oil. Grill each side of the bread until crisp.
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Spread ricotta cheese over each slice of bread.
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Top each bread slice with fig puree, pecans, fresh figs and fresh thyme leaves.
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Serve on a platter or wood cutting board as the perfect appetizer.
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i made these and were wonderful. I didn’t have a baguette so i used whole wheat bread and toasted it. Very good!
Yay it’s fig season again ! Made the bruschetta, it is so good.
It’s funny, I was scanning pinterest for some figgy inspiration and your post actually encouraged me most from a photography/artistic side! Thanks for the reminder to surround myself with great content that I love and be humble enough to admit that others’ tastes differ, but what makes my heart sing makes my heart sing! Thanks!
I am addicted to fig pictures …keep them coming!
You had me at fig… My buds are a watery mess right now! BTW – loving your blog.
These photos are absolutely stunning, just like perfectly ripe figs :). The bruschetta look wonderful, too! Yum!
Haha lovely story! Figs ARE seriously beautiful so keep photographing them 🙂 and this recipe sounds amazing! Love the balsamic addition.
I went earlier to the farmer’s market and saw some gorgeous figs and was so upset I did not have my camera with me, but ended up buying some. Can’t wait to shoot some photos tomorrow when it’s light outside. Yes figs are sexy and love taking pictures of them!
Your photos are gorgeous and the fig bruschetta makes such a delicious appetizer
I am 68 years old and just introduced to fresh figs for the first time this year. I am in love!!! If I had been asked before if I like figs I would have said no — only exposure was fig newtons, and I don’t like those. Going to plant a tree so I can have my own figs. Discovered that my neighbor up the street has two fig trees that they told me I could help myself to, which I am doing. Just not quite enough to suit me. Can’t wait to try this bruschetta and have also found 3 cake recipes that I want to try. As far as the pictures are concerned, they are absolutely beautiful. Keep it up. Person who criticized the pictures is just full of sour grapes and they probably aren’t nearly as beautiful to photograph.
Hahaha, go #TeamFig. I was never attracted to figs much until photos revealed their luscious, sexy beauty and I had an overwhelming desire to eat them!
You go Diana – rarh rarrr! 🙂 I love fig pictures, egg pictures, cookies with ribbons, pancakes with honey dripping over it, and etc etc. It is by trying to “imitate” those basic and cheesy pictures (done by better photographers) that myself, a mere amateur, learn photography.
I FREAKING LOVE FIG PICTURES too!
thanks for sharing, you are always inspiring to me and your ‘figs pics’ are beautiful!
Sooner or later I will have to post a figs tart, and I like the combination of this fruits with ricotta, but what about some mascarpone cream…?
Love, Roberta
Wonderful! #TeamFig
Figs ARE sexy!! Love these photos and yum… that bruschetta looks to-die-for!! #teamfig !
Love your blog, love all your posts and especially this fig one. I am definitely going to try this simple way with figs. Looks like the perfect breakfast in a hurry. Loved the figs with the basket. I took tons of photos last year of our tree to choose one for a column I write. Love figs here but not food shot critics so much.
We love figs and have trees just not quit ripe figs yet. I took tons of shots last year for a column I write with “the Oklahoman.” Planted one tree 3 years ago in middle of our Northwest Oklahoma garden…just the few figs we got was incentive to plant more. We have 5 trees now and I may be taking those babies to the Farmer’s market this year or certainly to fig lovin’ friends. Readers responded with great enthusiasm…all of us so thrilled we can grow this decadent fruit.
Like someone else above, I live in the Midwest, and figs are not very common (although the trees grow just fine here). It’s a real treat when I stumble on some at the farmers’ market. (My favorite shot above, btw, are the figs … in the egg basket. #TeamFig #TeamEggBasketProp)
I’m happy to take whatever I can get!
Yuuuuum I can literally taste it in my mouth!
#teamfig all the way!!
Good idea!!! I have a fig tree. I never thought of making fig bruschetta! Thanks for sharing!
haha, first off…Love this post. I was LOLing and simultaneously annoying my husband. Second, this looks AMAZING! If I had easy access to some fresh figs I would be all up on them! I’ll keep my eye out for some now, for sure!
Figs are great to photograph indeed. And delicious. I like the combination of flavors you made on a sandwich.
No complaints here. Please continue with as many fig pictures as necessary. As for eating them, this recipe is on my docket in the next week for sure.
I might wither away and die if I don’t eat these like, right now.
I luv your writing, Diane. Was chuckling the whole way through and feeling a bit angry about the bash on fig images. I too LUV fig images (which is why I planted two fig trees). I luv figs (I have a bunch in my fridge I’m photographing this afternoon!). Yes, figs are sexy and they are sensual. Enjoyed your post and gorgeous fig bruschetta w/the ricotta. 😉
Figs are beautiful and sexy. I could eat a ton of these..Your pictures are so beautiful.
I have a serious fig fettish, so I know exactly what you are talking about. I buy them by the case when they are in season and just keep stuffing them in my mouth until the are all gone. Forget about taking a picture of them–they wouldn’t last that long!
Love figs, love fig pictures, love your fig pictures!
Gorgeous photos, figs are such a wonderful subject :).
thanks diane!!! gonna make it right now for breakfast. looks so delicious. gotta use the figs before the dogs and squirrels. early bird catches…….
Opinions are like… well, you know. Everyone has one. The lovely thing about the internet is that we’re (mostly) free to be who we are and find our own group. I don’t think I’ve ever even eaten a fig, they don’t seem to be much of a thing in the Midwest, but I think they’re beautiful and I say we need to keep putting beautiful things out into the world to make up for all the haters!
Word!
Haters’ gonna hate. Me, I love…FIG PICTURES!
Such a gorgeous way to use figs! I want to dive into this! And I loveeeee! the serving platter it’s on!
Some people can be so obnoxious!!! I ♥ figs and love photos of figs. And I too have a few photos of cookies tied with a ribbon 😉
sounds delicious and I do love your photos….don’t change!
I have the same obsession with fruit but with apples. All apples, golden red, green. I can not get enough! While figs may not be fave photo players, I love eating them and this looks like tomorrow breakfast. Thank you for sharing
This is gorgeous!! The figs, the Bruschetta! I love it all!!
This looks heavenly! Loving this!!