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I love desserts (especially healthy, real food desserts), and this fresh fig tart is no exception. And I don’t believe in deprivation. We Americans have a disrupted relationship with food: either we’re punishing ourselves with denial of that which we love, apologizing for our indulgences or mucking down foods that aren’t even real like soy milk or fast food burgers. Instead, we ought to indulge and celebrate the pleasures in the way that nature intended: a fresh ripe fig, a bowl of full fat yogurt drizzled with orchard blossom honey, a handful of almonds or a juicy grass-fed steak. For heaven’s sake, don’t deny yourself, don’t punish yourself, just eat and eat real. It feels so good. It tastes so good. It nourishes your soul. (Read more about my food philosophy).
So, for me, a fresh fig tart is the perfect example of a real food indulgence: decidedly simple to make, brimming with nutrient-dense real foods and utterly satisfying. I find that nuts go very well with figs, and other fruit too, and in this recipe we’ve married ripe figs and thick, fresh yogurt in a crumbly crust of almond meal. So those of you who, by necessity or preference, steer away from gluten or grain can enjoy this fresh fig tart without any awkward substitutions. Figs are rich in trace minerals and a good source of dietary fiber. If you can find it, try using fresh ewe’s milk or goat’s milk yogurt in this recipe because both will add a depth of flavor to this tart that just can’t be provided by cow’s milk. As an added bonus, many people find both goat’s milk and ewe’s milk easier to digest than cow’s milk. If you can’t track down ewe’s milk or goat’s milk, use what you have as this fresh fig tart is good either way. I recommend using a homemade, raw milk yogurt (learn to make raw milk yogurt).
Fresh Fig Tart with Almond Crust
Thick strained yogurt, sweetened by a touch of raw honey, and fresh Mission figs fill an almond flour tart shell for a fresh and flavorful, but also wholesome and nourishing late summer dessert.
Fresh Fig Tart: Ingredients
2 cups Greek-style strained yogurt (see sources for a starter)
1/2 teaspoon orange flower water
up to 2 tablespoons raw, unfiltered honey(see sources)
6 to 8 ripe Mission figs, cut into 1/4-inch slices
1 8-inch almond flour tart shell (see recipe)
additional honey, if desired
Fresh Fig Tart: Equipment
mixing bowl
spoon
Fresh Fig Tart: Method
Fold up to two tablespoons raw honey and 1/2 teaspoon orange flower into two cups strained Greek-style yogurt. Stir well so that the honey is fully incorporated into the yogurt.
Spoon the yogurt into n almond flour tart shell.
Gently place the sliced figs over the yogurt.
Drizzle the sliced figs with additional honey, if it suits you.
When you’re ready to serve, very gently remove the tart from the tart shell mold.
YIELD: about 6 servings (unless your husband is as enamored of fresh figs and yogurt as mine, and then it only serves one with maybe a bite or two for someone else)
TIME: about 5 minutes
For the Almond Flour Tart Shell
An alternative to tart shells from refined white pastry flours, this version uses blanched almond flour for a more nutrient-dense alternative. Blanched almond flour does not need to be soaked prior to use, since much of its antinutrients like phytic acid and enzyme inhibitors have been deactivated through the blanching process which removes the almond’s papery skin.
Almond Crust: Ingredients
2 cups blanched almond flour
1/4 cup butter or ghee (see sources), chilled
1 egg white
1/4 teaspoon unrefined sea salt (see sources)
Almond Crust: Equipment
stand mixer with paddle attachment
8-inch tart shell mold
Almond Crust: Method
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Combine all ingredients in a stand mixer and mix with the paddle attachment until the combination of almond flour, ghee, egg white and salt resembles corn meal.
Spoon the dough into your tart shell pan, pressing down with your fingers to form a nice crust.
Bake the almond flour tart shell in an oven preheated to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. for about thirty-five minutes or until the shell turns golden brown.
Allow the shell to cool completely before filling.
Do not unmold the shell until it has cooled completely, been filled and is ready to serve.
YIELD: 1 8-inch tart shell
TIME: about 5 minutes (preparation), 35 minutes (baking time)
Nourished Kitchen’s goal is to promote sustainable agriculture and nutrient-dense, whole foods in everyday kitchens. The focus is on whole, unrefined foods prepared according to traditional methods that optimize nutrient density. Cherish your body, nourish your kitchen.