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    Home / Desserts / Ice Cream & Frozen Treats

    Za'atar Broiled Figs with Pecans + Goat Cheese Honey Ice Cream

    Published Jul 18, 2014

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    delicious bowl of Za'atar Broiled Figs with Pecans + Goat Cheese Honey Ice Cream

    Last month, I had the good fortune to sit on a panel of food bloggers and photographers with a couple of top-shelf ladies: Phi of Princess Tofu and Kimberly of The Year in Food. Kimberly had just received a copy of her new book, Vibrant Food, and we got a sneak preview. Once I started leafing through it, I couldn't stop.

    close up of figs

    I've written a full review of the book for Blikki, a fabulous online health and well-being magazine, which will come out in August. I had fun writing my first official cookbook review, and particularly getting to spend so much time with Kimberly's inspiring recipes and images. I'll post the link when the issue comes out, but for now I wanted to share a favorite recipe from the book: Broiled Figs with Za'atar and Pecans which I paired with a goat cheese honey ice cream.

    honey on figs

    figs in a big pan

    Figs have a first small harvest in the late spring, and now they're just starting to tumble into season in earnest. Brown Turkeys tend to be juicy and sweet, Black Missions are a bit firmer, with deep purple flesh, and the green-skinned varieties are so pretty with their shocking pink insides. Any variety would be excellent here.

    top down shot of ingredients in small bowl

    The figs are simply sliced in half, drizzled with honey, broiled for a bit, then sprinkled with za'atar and pecans, and broiled again. The honey and cooking make this a fine treatment for figs that are slightly under-ripe, as all will become softened and sweet. Figs that are ripe yet still firm enough to hold their shape are ideal.

    small bowl of ingredients

    Za'atar, a Middle Eastern spice blend usually made from sesame seeds, thyme, and sumac, adds an unexpected savory hit. I had some organic sumac sent to me by Spicely which I mixed with white sesame seeds and some lemon thyme that I've managed to keep alive in my window box. (I'm looking for more ways to use sumac, so if you have any recipes you like, chime in in the comments below.)

    nuts sprinkled on Za'atar Broiled Figs with Pecans

    The savory-sweet figs could swing either way: on a salad, as part of a cheese course, or over ice cream for dessert. I especially love the honeyed fig juices that collect in the bottom of the pan.

    pan of Za'atar Broiled Figs with Pecans

    I can't think of figs without thinking also of goat cheese, so I whipped up an ice cream sweetened with honey. I love the way the dessert turned out; like a cheese plate in an uncommon form.

    top down shot of Za'atar Broiled Figs with Pecans + Goat Cheese Honey Ice Cream

    I highly recommend getting your hands on a copy of Vibrant Foods. Other recipes I have my eye on are:

    -Yogurt Paprika Chicken with Lemon – Kimberly's take on Chicken Tikka topped with juice from roasted lemons
    -Rhubarb Compote with Cacao Nibs, sweetened with honey and topped with crème fraîche
    -Tomato Fennel Soup with Polenta Croutons
    -Millet-Stuffed Peppers with Tomatillo Salsa
    -Apple Sage Walnut Bread – a not-too-sweet snacking cake that happens to be gluten-free and whole grain

    side shot of bowl of Za'atar Broiled Figs with Pecans + Goat Cheese Honey Ice Cream

    And I can't stop dreaming of the Pimm's Cup that I made last week, gussied up with sliced strawberries, cucumber, and mint. Mmm...

    bowl of Za'atar Broiled Figs with Pecans + Goat Cheese Honey Ice Cream

    More Fig Recipes:

    • Fresh Fig Flatbread with Goat Cheese and Arugula
    • Huckleberry Fig Crumble Tart
    • Berry-Fig Financiers
    • Ginger Fig Tart with Chestnut-Almond Crust 

    *Bojon appétit! For more Bojon Gourmet in your life, follow along on Instagram,  Facebook, or Pinterest, purchase my gluten-free cookbook Alternative Baker, or subscribe to receive new posts via email. And if you make this broiled fig recipe, I’d love to know. Leave a comment and rating below, and tag your Instagram snaps @The_Bojon_Gourmet  and  #bojongourmet.*

    a'atar Broiled Figs with Pecans + Goat Cheese Honey Ice Cream
    5 from 11 votes

    Broiled Figs with Za'atar and Pecans

    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    This Middle-Eastern dessert is packed full of flavor!
    Alanna Taylor-Tobin
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total: 20 minutes
    Servings: 4 to 6 servings.

    Ingredients

    • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
    • 1 teaspoon dried (or fresh)thyme
    • 1 teaspoon sumac
    • 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
    • 1/2 cup raw, chopped pecans
    • 12 large fresh figs, halved lengthwise
    • 1/4 cup honey

    Instructions

    • Preheat the broiler.
    • To make the za'atar, combine the sesame seeds, thyme, sumac, and salt in a bowl. Toss with the pecans and set aside.
    • Place the figs cut side up in a small roasting pan. Using a small spoon, carefully drizzle the honey over the figs. Broil 6 inches from the heat for 5 minutes. Remove from the broiler and sprinkle the za'atar mix over the figs. Return to the broiler for another 1 to 2 minutes, until the pecans are toasted.
    • Allow the figs to cool for a couple of minutes. Serve warm, with vanilla ice cream or fromage blanc (or goat cheese honey ice creaand a little of the remaining honey drizzled on top.

    Notes

    From Vibrant Food by Kimberly Hasselbrink, reprinted with permission.
    Kimberly says that you can use a store-bought za'atar if you can't find sumac, a dried berry native to the Middle East.
    The recipe calls for dried thyme; I used about 1 1/2 teaspoons of fresh thyme since I had it on hand, and I thought it worked well.
    Use vanilla ice cream, fromage blanc, or goat cheese honey ice cream, for serving.
    Nutritional values are based on one of four servings.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 264kcalCarbohydrates: 48gProtein: 2gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 148mgPotassium: 410mgFiber: 6gSugar: 42gVitamin A: 235IUVitamin C: 3.8mgCalcium: 66mgIron: 1.1mg
    Making this? I'd love to see!Tag your snaps @The_Bojon_Gourmet and #bojongourmet!

    Broiled Figs with Za'atar and Pecans

    From Vibrant Food by Kimberly Hasselbrink, reprinted with permission

    Kimberly says that you can use a store-bought za'atar if you can't find sumac, a dried berry native to the Middle East. The recipe calls for dried thyme; I used about 1 1/2 teaspoons of fresh thyme since I had it on hand, and I thought it worked well.

    Use vanilla ice cream, fromage blanc, or goat cheese honey ice cream, for serving

    Serves 4-6

    1 teaspoon sesame seeds
    1 teaspoon dried (or fresh) thyme
    1 teaspoon sumac
    1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
    1/2 cup raw, chopped pecans
    12 large fresh figs, halved lengthwise
    1/4 cup honey

    Preheat the broiler.

    To make the za'atar, combine the sesame seeds, thyme, sumac, and salt in a bowl. Toss with the pecans and set aside.

    Place the figs cut side up in a small roasting pan. Using a small spoon, carefully drizzle the honey over the figs. Broil 6 inches from the heat for 5 minutes. Remove from the broiler and sprinkle the za'atar mix over the figs. Return to the broiler for another 1 to 2 minutes, until the pecans are toasted.

    Allow the figs to cool for a couple of minutes. Serve warm, with vanilla ice cream or fromage blanc (or goat cheese honey ice cream) and a little of the remaining honey drizzled on top.

    honey drizzled on Za'atar Broiled Figs with Pecans

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. molly yeh says

      July 19, 2014 at 1:59 am

      absolutely gorgeous! i love the idea of this combination! must track down some figs now...

      Reply
      • Alanna says

        July 20, 2014 at 9:06 pm

        Thanks Miss Molly... do it! :D

        Reply
    2. Tieghan says

      July 19, 2014 at 3:19 am

      Stunning in every shape and form. Plus, what a killer combo of flavors!

      Reply
      • Alanna says

        July 20, 2014 at 9:10 pm

        Thanks, Tieghan! You sweetheart. :)

        Reply
    3. Thalia @ butter and brioche says

      July 19, 2014 at 6:03 am

      i dont think you can ever go wrong with sweet figs and ice cream.. love the flavour combination. definitely recreating this in my kitchen. thanks for the idea!

      Reply
      • Alanna says

        July 20, 2014 at 9:11 pm

        Awesome!! Please let me know how you like it. :)

        Reply
    4. Tamsin | A Certain Adventure says

      July 19, 2014 at 9:07 am

      This is too much!!! Za'atar, figs, goat's cheese ice cream...I think you've made my ideal dessert. Beautiful photos to boot. x

      Reply
      • Alanna says

        July 20, 2014 at 9:13 pm

        Thanks, Tamsin! We must have similar tastes because this is kind of my ideal dessert, too. :)

        Reply
    5. Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says

      July 19, 2014 at 12:44 pm

      I've never had a fresh fig (whether broiled or not) in my whole life!! So weird..I think i'll just make this one my first!

      Reply
      • Alanna says

        July 20, 2014 at 9:17 pm

        Figs are so good when they're fresh! I had trouble saving any for this dish, they've been so good lately. I hope you get to try one soon!

        Reply
    6. Heather says

      July 19, 2014 at 6:06 pm

      Sumac! I love it. I use it in everything. It's a lemony-paprika flavor - how can you go wrong? I use it on Hummus, in Mexican rice, in soups, with Chorizo dishes, on fish, and I had never thought of using it on fruit, but it makes a lot of sense! This looks divine. Even the things I wouldn't eat look great in your pictures. :) I wish you lived next door so I could help you eat up your leftovers.

      Reply
      • Alanna says

        July 20, 2014 at 9:18 pm

        I love those suggestions - thank you, Heather!! I can always use help eating leftovers, so c'mon over. :)

        Reply
    7. Sophie says

      July 19, 2014 at 6:27 pm

      Beautiful photos, will try this one out once I locate some figs... Ottolenghi cooks with sumac alot, he has a great salad with fennel and sumac I think

      Reply
      • Alanna says

        July 20, 2014 at 9:19 pm

        Ooh, I need to get my hands on the Ottolenghi books. I'm a little bit scared of how far I'll get sucked into them, which is why I've resisted thus far. Fennel sumac salad may be the tipping point, though. ;)

        Reply
    8. Pang says

      July 19, 2014 at 7:05 pm

      OMG!!!! Alanna, your drizzle shot of honey over figs are such beautiful photographs (although I love all photos here.). I LOVE LOVE LOVE this post so much, and I, too, am such a big fan of the book.

      P.S. I was waiting for your post, and this did not disappoint. :)

      Reply
      • Alanna says

        July 20, 2014 at 9:20 pm

        Ohhhh, thank you Pang!! You are the sweetest. :D

        Reply
    9. AmandaPaa says

      July 19, 2014 at 7:10 pm

      I would have never thought of putting zaatar with fruit! This looks amazing. I'm hoping we get some good figs here in Minnesota, I will be sure to try this if so. And as always - stunnnnnning pics.

      Reply
      • Alanna says

        July 20, 2014 at 9:21 pm

        Totally! I thought my brain would explode the first time I saw that recipe. Thanks so much for the kind words, friend. Crossing my fingers for the figs in your town.

        Reply
    10. Sue/the view from great island says

      July 19, 2014 at 10:38 pm

      I just received a copy of Vibrant Food and can't tear myself away. And, I just happen to have a small jar of homemade za'atar, so I'm all set to make this recipe, your photos are always brilliant!

      Reply
      • Alanna says

        July 20, 2014 at 9:21 pm

        Oh that's awesome! I hope you love the figs as much as we do and I can't wait to see what you make from the book. :)

        Reply
    11. Laura (Tutti Dolci) says

      July 20, 2014 at 4:59 am

      What a gorgeous dessert, I love the honeyed figs!

      Reply
      • Alanna says

        July 20, 2014 at 9:23 pm

        Thanks, Laura!!

        Reply
    12. Lilli @ Sugar and Cinnamon says

      July 21, 2014 at 12:55 am

      Such a delicious combination! I love the way you've cooked the figs, I can just imagine how good they'd taste :)

      Reply
      • Alanna says

        July 21, 2014 at 3:26 am

        Thanks, Lilli! I love the recipe, too - Kimberly is the best. :)

        Reply
    13. Monet says

      July 21, 2014 at 4:07 am

      Figs, pecan, and goat cheese. And icecream. And could this possibly get any better or more beautiful? No, I think not! Wonderful work Alanna!

      Reply
      • Alanna says

        July 21, 2014 at 7:11 am

        Thanks, Monet! These are a bunch of my favorite things, too. So glad you like them as well. :)

        Reply
    14. Ileana says

      July 21, 2014 at 3:28 pm

      Man, this just sounds absolutely perfect. What a great idea to put za'atar on figs!

      Reply
      • Alanna says

        July 21, 2014 at 8:48 pm

        Thanks, Ileana! I know - Kimberly's a genius. :)

        Reply
    15. Valerie Gamine says

      July 21, 2014 at 8:04 pm

      Okay, so I really want to hang with you Ladies the next time! :D
      Fabulous photos + exquisite recipe...and goat cheese ice cream!! *squee* Congrats on the magazine review! xo

      Reply
      • Alanna says

        July 21, 2014 at 8:49 pm

        Oh yes please! Do you live around San Francisco?! Thank you so much for the kind words and congratulations, Valerie! :)

        Reply
    16. Kara Mathys @Wellnessgrit says

      March 25, 2019 at 6:19 am

      This zaatar broiled figs with pecans & goat cheese recipe looks so amazing and yummy at the same time. Found your post so easy to follow along when preparing them yesterday. So mesmerized by this. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Alanna says

        March 30, 2019 at 9:50 pm

        Aw I'm so glad you liked the recipe - thanks for the note! :)

        Reply
    17. Rimmy says

      August 28, 2019 at 6:55 pm

      zaatar broiled figswith pecans goat is a wonderful combination.

      Reply
      • Alanna says

        August 28, 2019 at 8:22 pm

        Aw thank you!

        Reply
    18. Susan Dubose says

      September 12, 2019 at 6:17 pm

      I want to make this!! I seem to always have a difficult time finding fresh figs though...

      Reply
    19. Richard Tunner says

      September 12, 2019 at 6:53 pm

      I am so happy that I discovered your blog! Your recipes always look so delicious and healthy. I can’t wait to start cooking.

      Reply
    20. Anthony Allen says

      October 01, 2019 at 6:40 pm

      Saw this earlier today and it LOoks amazing! Pinned for later and I can’t wait to try it!

      Reply
    21. Christina Moore says

      October 24, 2019 at 6:36 pm

      When you see this recipe, it looks impossible. But I try my own version like yours and my family, love it. This is perfect desert that I can prepare in any kind of occasion.

      Reply
      • Alanna says

        October 25, 2019 at 10:40 pm

        I'm so glad you liked it!

        Reply
    22. [email protected] says

      November 19, 2019 at 5:19 pm

      Wow, this flavor combo is blowing me away. I LOVE making my own hummus. Definitely adding this one to try next.

      Reply
    23. Malissa says

      December 08, 2019 at 5:44 pm

      I served them one night as a dessert and another time with breakfast, both times to rave reviews. Thank you so much for posting!

      Reply
    24. Sophie Anderson says

      December 08, 2019 at 5:56 pm

      This dish of appetizers was a big hit at a party. I added chopped walnuts on top, which provided some crunch. Very good!

      Reply
    25. Peter Crouch says

      December 21, 2019 at 7:08 am

      This is too much!!! Za'atar, figs, goat's cheese ice cream…I think you've made my ideal dessert. Beautiful photos to boot.

      Reply
    26. Beks says

      January 02, 2020 at 5:09 pm

      Definitely can’t beat fresh herbs and spices – they truly do add a wonderful flavor kick and fabulous aroma to any dish.

      Reply
    27. Lori says

      January 02, 2020 at 5:25 pm

      We made this as soon as we saw it in the magazine and it is excellent. We've made it over and over again and enjoy it every time.

      Reply

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