Serves: ~6
Cost: €4.50
Preparation and baking time: ~35 minutes
Calories: ~510 per slice
Do you know what is annoying? Going shopping, staggering back home, laden with bags, packing everything away, and then three hours later the refrigerator decides that enough is enough and it’s just going to stop working. Yeah… this happened. The compressor gave out on our refrigerator and decided it was going to take out the electricity in the apartment at the same time. Did I mention I was in the toilet at the time? At 11pm? In the pitch black (at least it wasn’t dark until the power went out!)? This was a couple of weeks ago and fortunately we’re now in possession of a shiny new refrigerator once again, delivered just a few days ago. It’s been interesting, living without the refrigerator but boy am I glad we have “cooling power” again!
From a food preparation point of view, I still haven’t done a great deal. We’ve been eating a lot of the things which we prepared before the birth of William. My wife and I spent a whole day before his birth cooking, chopping, baking and stirring and all in all prepared enough food to feed two people for 30 meals. I made quite possibly the world’s biggest pot of bolognese sauce; I also made béchamel sauce for quick lasagne, when used in conjunction with the meat sauce. Curried lentil soup, roasted carrot and garlic soup, fish gratin and quinoa and kidney bean patties were also on the menu and wow, was the freezer ever stuffed when we’d finished? It was very fulfilling, and exceptionally useful for those days when we were so tired!
I cobbled together this tart for a dinner party the other day and it seemed very popular. I wasn’t quite satisfied with the pastry at the time (I used shortcrust, but have replaced it here with puff). I thought I’d make it again though since it is actually very nice, and I even got started with my videos again. My little son William is making his video début here for your viewing pleasure. I screwed the sound levels up a bit on this video sadly, so sometimes the music is a bit too loud. I was a bit out of practice, but I hope it’s enjoyable nonetheless.
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the recipe! Let me know if you give it a try :).
Honey, Fig and Walnut Tart
[learn_more caption=”Video Recipe” state=”open”]
Ingredients
- 70g Butter
- 70g Sugar
- 100g Honey
- 500g Figs
- 50g Walnuts
- 230g Puff Pastry
Instructions
- Start by preheating your oven to about 210 degrees Celsius and then wash and slice off the stalks from the figs and cut each one in half. Next, chop the walnuts finely with a knife and set both aside while you prepare the syrup.
- Add the butter into a hot pan to melt and add in the sugar. Melt together to form a syrup before adding in the honey. Bring to a simmer and add in the figs. Stir well to coat in the syrup and allow to cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, being sure to cover both sides in the syrup. Add in the walnuts to the pan and mix again and then allow the figs and walnuts to sit in the simmering syrup for a couple of minutes before removing from the heat.
- Place the pastry out on a large baking sheet lined with waxed paper and arrange the figs on top, allowing a good space at the edges for the pastry to rise. Finally, pour the remaining syrup and nuts in the pan on top of the figs and place into the preheated oven. Bake the tart in the oven for about 15-20 minutes, until puffed around the edges and well browned. Remove and serve immediately with whipped cream or ice-cream.
What an wonderful combo of flavours Charles. I was just thinking about figs because our chef in Lyon (where we had the cooking class) had an incredible fig tree in his back yard. We were just picking them and eating them! I was commenting that just the week before our trip I bought figs and they were ONE euro each. In season! I’m going to get a fig tree in a pot next spring and we’ll see how it works. I’ll pull it into the garage for the winter because it gets way too cool here.
I can see why your guests enjoyed this tart. And I’m glad that your fridge was delivered; I hope all your hard work for freezing dishes didn’t spoil with the dead fridge.
Hi Eva – how wonderful it must be to have a big fig tree like that. There’s a little church in a village near where my parents live. Next to the church was the vicarage and there is a HUGE fig tree in the garden. I’ve never seen such a big fruit tree before and it droops great branches full of fruit over the wall when they’re ripe!
Luckily, our freezer and refrigerator are two separate units, so we didn’t lose anything, thankfully – that would be pretty darn heart-breaking otherwise!
Sounds like you and your ‘sous-chef’ did a great job in preparing for the happy event. I would have been traumatized at losing power to the whole place and the fear of all my food spoiling but your family stood up well to the events.
I haven’t had figs of any kind in quite a while and this tart sounds just delicious.
Pardon the brevity of my comments these days. I’m using an unfamiliar laptop my nephew was kind enough to bring over so I don’t have to brave 2 flights of stairs with crutches to get to my standard computer WITH mouse which I’ve used exclusively for 30 yrs. Between a finicky slow router servicing both our laptops, daily Fragmin (blood thinner, self administered) injections and dealing with home medical services provided by our health system, I’m not my usual chatty self. I hope to return to full strength one of these days. 🙂
Hi A_ – luckily the fridge and freezer are separate units so the prepared food wasn’t ruined by the breakage.
Since you’re in bed upstairs now, does that mean you’ve had your hip operation now? All the best in any event – wishing you a speedy recovery!
Hey, Charles. The computer is upstairs but I’m sleeping downstairs on my mom’s former twin sized bed. I sure miss my queen sized bed, my tower and tub … none of which I can access until I’m steady/strong enough to brave the stairs. I had the surgery on Oct 2 and came home on Oct 3.
Aah, I see – wishing you the best! 🙂 Hope you’re up and about soon!
The tart looks extraordinary! I love the walnuts and fig combination, it’s like a perfect early autumn dessert.
Congratulations to William for his cinema debut! He has made an excellent job especially waving “bye bye” 😉
I have a feeling that you have actually employed your whole family in this video… Aren’t the chopping hands your wife’s? All your videos are great, but this one is particularly good and dynamic (and really funny at the beginning). You are very talented!
You must be relieved with the new fridge. I think I would start crying if my fridge stopped working (I have constantly enough to feed us for a month there!).
Nah, he just has girly hands 😉
Amazing!!!!
Thank you Sissi – I’m glad you enjoyed the little video, but actually it was me chopping all the way through. I’m not sure if I should be happy or not that you think my hands look woman-like, but I guess it’s better than having gnarly, hairy man-hands so I’ll choose to take it as a compliment 😀 😀
I think Charles it’s rather a compliment (a genuine one because I really thought these were a woman’s hands!). By the way, I was always wondering if in the very good restaurants cooks are forced to shave their hands if they are hairy. There must be some accidents with the hair (I have found lashes several times in the food I prepare so I cannot even imagine how often the hand hairs fall into the pans!).
Haha – no worries 😀 I’m not sure about the hairy hands in restaurants… I’m thinking maybe not, since I’ve seen some chefs on TV with very big, hairy hands so I guess it’s not considered a problem.
Anyway, live for a while with a cat – soon you won’t worry about finding hair in your food 😀
Glad your prepared foods did not spoil during your fridge outage.
Love your video, William sure is growing leap and bounds, appears to be a very good natured baby.
Will be putting away my fig tree in the garage for the winter but this recipe will be on the kitchen counter as soon as figs are ready next year.
Thanks Norma – he’s sure getting heavy already! He has his next appointment with the paediatrician on Friday, so we’ll know how giant he’s getting 😀
He’s adorable!!! Ahhhhh… I’m in love.. now I’m going to be anxious to be a grandma sooner than I thought! I loved your video and can’t wait to see your little sous chef in all of them! Btw, I think you have the best voice for food videos.. very calming!! I’m off to find figs!!
Haha, thank you Barb – I’m so glad you like my voice… I always think I sound a bit nervous to be honest 😀
What a gorgeous tart! I’ll take my slice with a nice scoop of vanilla ice cream. Off to watch your video…nothing like luring us in with a cute baby!!! 🙂
Thanks Liz! 🙂
What a great looking tart. Figs, walnuts and honey are a winning combination. You have a really good voice for videos. I think you’re really clever to put together a u-tube video. I wouldn’t have a clue! The tart is wonderful but William stole the show! xx
Hi Charlie – thanks for your kind comment! I’m glad you like the YouTube video… I always feel terribly nervous when I do the voicing… so self-conscious!
Gorgeous tart, Charles! I love all the flavors, I can tell it tastes divine just from your pictures! 🙂
Thanks Laura – it had a wonderful, sticky caramel sauce!
Oh Charles, I understood everything William said. It went like this, “Hey Dad, stop talking to those wacky people and pay attention to me!”
LOVE this tart and the video is terrific.
Haha, undoubtedly so Maureen 🙂 Thanks for your kind words!
Totally distracted by William – but the tart is a stunner too!
Hehe, thank you Chica 🙂
woah I can’t even comprehend making enough food for 30 meals for 2.I can’t plan so far ahead! you are mad. really sorry to hear about the fridge then, urgh, lucky for me my fridge is so tiny I almost always have to make food fresh anyway. the tart looks stunning, and HELLO WILLIAM (:
X
Hi Shuhan – luckily, our fridge and freezer are separate, so we didn’t lose anything… that would have been pretty sad if we did :(.
Our freezer is pretty large, so we can store quite a lot of stuff in there! 🙂
Your tart is a beuaty, Charles. I have yet to cook with figs but I certainly would love a fat slice. Enjoy that baby, they grow up way too fast.
Thank you Suzi – it was a really nice tart actually – I’d strongly recommend giving it a shot if you can 🙂
Hi Charles, I find your tart recipes very innovative – I’m thinking of your zucchini/feta and beet/feta as well – gorgeous combinations. I notice you use puff pastry and wonder what other options might work. Maybe an almond crust with this fig recipe? I might just give it a try! (Adorable video clip by the way of you & little William).
Thank you Kelly – when my parents were visiting I actually made another tart… grilled peach with a glaze made from orange juice and star anise. I remember you made a tart or pie a while ago with star anise inside and so you inspired me! It was so good actually, but sadly I didn’t photograph the process 🙁
Glad you liked the video 🙂
Now that I have my kitchen back I have to find some figs before they go out of season! I love this tart because it’s all about the fig and I would love to make it! So smart of your to do a bunch of cooking before William was born. I did the same thing before the kitchen remodel started. It made life easier than it would have been otherwise. Thanks for the reminder on the garlic carrot soup! I need to make that again!
Hi MJ – I thought of cutting the figs into smaller pieces, but actually it is perfect with big chunks like this!
The soup, I actually blended it up more smoothly then ever before and it was amazing. So smooth and velvety!
That is one good baby you have there Charles! And the tart, oh yes, the tart looks amazing, too. Love the figs, honey and walnut together, and with a dollop of cream or creme fraiche…nom, nom. 🙂 But I think William stole the show in this post! 😉
Thank you Betsy 🙂 The tart was lovely in the end – all sticky from the honey… so tasty!
That is one precious video!
Hello little William 🙂
The tart looks amazing Charles, figs are still everywhere here but this year the prices have gone through the roof for some reason. I had planned on making a fig tart last week with almond but then the figs went missing, someone “who refuses to admit it” snacked on them during the night lol
will have to get some more soon
Thank you Sawsan – so glad you enjoyed it! It’s too bad the price of figs is so high… even more bad when someone snacks on them all and then doesn’t own up to it! I think figs and honey are the perfect combination, aren’t they? I hope you get a chance to try it sometime! 🙂
ugh… I hate when those things happen. I had my fare share over the years as well… The baby wasn’t around at that time, right?
You know charles I “tartelized” my husband, he was curried but now he is all over it! ^.^
Wonderful yummy looking tart, Iam in a tart mood right now, just like you guys. =)
The viedo isn’t opening for some reason, its black on my screen. =/
Hi Helene, I love tartes – they’re so easy to customise and make look really spectacular! I’m glad you could tartelize your husband! 😀 Too bad you couldn’t view the video though – maybe it will work for you on the YouTube page directly?
Charles, I’m gobsmacked! I have never known any couple to prepare 30 meals and freeze them before the birth of their child. That is unbelievably organized and must be a total lifesaver. Too bad about the fridge though…. Our dishwasher just broken for the second time in a few months…of course it was right before a big turkey dinner tonight, when you could use a bit of help after all that preparation. Murphy’s law. Love figs with walnuts, so I know I’d love this tart. That’s impressive that you are already hosting dinner parties!
Thanks Barb – we like to be on top of things… jeez though, I’d never seen so much bolognese sauce, haha! 😀 It’s so lucky that our freezer and fridge aren’t connected… could have been such a terrible waste otherwise!
Sorry your dishwasher is busted (again) – that can’t be fun… I don’t have one myself, but I can imagine you get so used to having it!
the figs and walnuts go perfectly together- crunch and sweetness in one bite. Love this in tart format.
Hi KB – Absolutely… and the honey on top is just mm-mm-mm 😀
I enjoyed this video so much with William in it! Ohhh he’s so cute. You must be enjoying lots of cuddles. I want to cuddle with my 6 year old son but he won’t let me. I heard this stage is coming but it’s too soon, you know. He sometimes let me but most of time he’s too busy doing his own stuff. Sigh! I’m so jealous of that cuddling feeling!!
What a fabulous tart and from the video I can totally see myself making this. Easy and looks so good. I love figs too!! Can’t wait to make this very soon.
Also are you suggesting that we can come visit you since you have the world’s biggest pot of bolognese sauce? 😉 I love bolognese! I can baby sit William anytime!
Hi Nami – cuddles are the best… I don’t want the stage to ever come when he thinks he’s too cool to get a cuddle from his dad (or mom) :(. The best feeling in the world is lying down on the couch or bed with him and giving him a big cuddle!
As for coming to visit to eat bolognese… you’re absolutely welcome any time if you ever find yourself on vacation to Paris (although I think I’d try and make you all something a little more… exciting… than bolognese 😀
Oh Charles, you two are so cute! Forget the food when there are little one in the video! Sorry, got carried away… 🙂 This is such a wonderful period in his life, I am sure you and your wife enjoying every single moment with him… Tart sounds as a good addition to my tea, that I am drinking while writing this comment… 🙂
Haha, thank you Marina 🙂 We are enjoying it so much… you know, even when he’s screaming because he’s over-tired or hungry it’s still not so bad 😀
William!! He’s so cute 🙂 Can’t wait to watch him grow through the videos 🙂
The fig tart look so elegant and it’s so easy. Bit like a tarte tatin with figs I guess.
Hopefully I can get some good figs to try this out, love the combination of walnuts and honey too.
Nazneen
Thank you Nazneen – It’s going to be fun watching him grow. I hope he can look back at his early years through the blog here one day 🙂
I want to try this recipe. After reading a few fig blog posts from Linda and Kristy i’ve really been craving figs. So glad you made a youtube video, hoping in November I’ll have time to make this tart!
Hi Lisa – I’d definitely recommend making it with puff pastry. It just isn’t the same with regular shortcrust or something 🙂 Do let me know if you give it a try too 🙂
Okay, you two are so prepared! Meals for 30 days?! A dinner party? And a new baby?! I need some of that organizational motivation! When Mr. N was born I could hardly keep up with anything, let alone think about cooking for others! My hats off to you guys. Impressive! This tart looks fantastic!!!! Oh I hope I can still find some figs when we get home. I haven’t made a tart in ages and have had it on my list. Love the flavors in this one. I know Mike will too. Yum!
Hi Kristy – haha, I guess one could say that food is “serious business” for me… I like to make sure I’m well fed, no matter *what* might be going on in life! Too many bad memories of my student days when I had nothing but a jar of olives in the fridge and a can of green beans in the cupboard!
I didn’t realise you’d gone away… were you on vacation?
You guys sound like a great planners. 30 meals! That’s really impressive. The tart looks delicious. The whole electricity thing sucks. Congrats on your new refrigerator.
Your videos look so professional…I wouldn’t even know where to begin!
Hi Minnie – believe me… it definitely did suck. Being stuck anywhere and not being able to see a thing is never fun!
I’m glad you like the videos 🙂
Congratulations Charles! Best wishes to the wife with your new bundle of joy. Your video is great and you have such a calm and relaxing voice. I could listen to you all day. Oh by the way the fig tart is gorgeous and even more gorgeous with your video. Have a great weekend Charles! Big hugs to the little one! Take Care, BAM
Thanks Bam – Haha, I never thought of my voice as calm and relaxing before… I’ll take your word for it 😀
I’m so glad I watched the video 🙂 Little William seemed to be really impressed with the idea of the fig tart 😉
It’s SO easy to do, too… and I especially loved the filming of the pie in the oven 🙂 loved watching the pastry rise 🙂
Thanks for another great recipe. I’ll be waiting for some fresh figs to make this 🙂
Haha, I think he was more eager to snuggle up an go back to sleep, but hopefully the aromas of the tart gave him some nice dreams 😀
I was really pleased with the part of the video with the tart in the oven… I had to speed it up to like 40x I think, but isn’t it cool? Watching it all puff up like that!
Dropping by again to say this was really delicious! Thanks Charles for the delicious dessert. My family enjoyed it with vanilla ice cream. 🙂
Hooray – thanks Nami, I’m so glad! I saw the photo you sent me and it looked yummy… I hope it turned out like mine, flavour-wise, because mine was so sweet and delicious 🙂
How can I have not read this recipe? (I’ve been busy). So simple and so delicious-looking. Figs and walnuts may still be at my Farmers’ Market — I’ll be going in a few days and may make this next week.
Hi Sharyn – I hope you get to give this a try before figs go out of season… I think they have already around here, not sure about where you are. The season is short, but oh so delicious 😀
I just got figs from the market this morning. They are not as sweet as they have been, but the honey and sugar should fix that — this may be what I make tomorrow or Monday.