Super Easy, Super Yummy Fig Jam

My husband bought this big old thing of figs at Costco last Sunday...and no real intention to use them in any one thing...we would add them to sandwiches and salads and the such, but there were a LOT of figs...maybe 2 pounds? maybe more? they started to go bad, so i saved the ones that did not have mold and started to make a fig jam with it. I started by looking up about 7 different recipes online and then made my own based on those. The method i used was from here - i found it very helpful - especially the mashing up with the potato masher bit...i did not want to dirty up my food processor that day!

I had about a pound of figs - i first removed the seeds...coarsely chopped...threw them in a pan with a splash of balsamic (2 tblsp?) some sugar and honey (because figs and honey...yum!) let that get together for about an hour and a half on very low simmer...let cool then...there you go! fig jam! now...its freezer jam...but should last about a month in your fridge (not mine) but you can always freeze what you want to save for later!.

Fig Jam
About 1 pound figs - stems removed coarsely chopped
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup honey
2 Tblsp balsamic vinegar

Put all ingredients in heavy saucepan over med high heat. stir together until boiling. If pieces remain big, you can mash them with a fork or potato masher, but leave some pieces...its what makes jam the jam :) Once the jam has reached a nice boil, turn to low, cover and simmer for an hour and a half - occasionally checking up on it and stirring to avoid burning.

What to do with fig jam? Besides enjoying on a warm piece of toast, try topping brie with it, covering with pastry dough and baking at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes. or just on top of brie with honey and crackers. Or making a fig crostini. or fig cookies or peanut butter and fig sandwich...you can even use it for a glaze over chicken or fish!

Hope this inspires you to make your own jam...you don't always need to can it...you don't always need to make a huge batch! Have fun!