Growing and using figs

Figs

Fruit trees are a delightful way to grow edibles in the Florida landscape.  Figs do especially well with little effort after they are established.  The fruit is delicious and eating a fig right off the tree is extremely satisfying,  but the leaves are wonderful as well.  They can be used in many ways and are surprisingly good! Fig leaf tea has many health benefits and taste lovely so thats what we have been making each morning in our kitchen. Curry is another great way  to use the leaves as they have a smell and taste that is similar to coconut!

TEA RECIPE:  Choose 3-4 smaller fig leaves and wash.  Cover in a saucepan with 8oz of water and simmer for 10 minutes.  Remove the leaves and sweeten with agave.  Serve hot or chilled.

CURRY:  1 jar of red curry paste, coconut milk, chicken breast, brown sugar, fish sauce, 2 large fig leaves, red chili peppers, green peppers, 1/4 cup basil leaves.  

simply sauté chicken cut in cubes in a bit of oil, add the jar of curry paste till warm, then add the fig leaves, green peppers (sliced) and the coconut milk.  Boil for 10 minutes.  Remove the fig leaves and add brown sugar and 2 Tablespoons fish sauce.  Garnish with sliced red chili peppers and basil leaves before serving