Honeyed Fig and Ice-cream

 Hello Folks!!!

Over 2500 years ago, an important tree had one of its branches removed on the order of Emperor Ashoka the Great. This tree is far from ordinary because its story starts when Lord Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment under its majestic branches. The tree became to be known as the Bodhi tree. Ashoka the Great planted it in a solid gold vase. He carried the branch over the mountains and down the Ganges, to the Bay of Bengal, from where his daughter, Sanghamitta would sail for Sri Lanka and present it to the King. This story of the fig tree is from the epic poem 'The Mahavamsa'. A fig tree, with unbroken devotion towards it, stretching thousands of years even before the Great Emperor.

How wonderful is that ! Figs are found to hold prominent roles in many sacred books as well. Adam and Eve used the leaves of the fig tree to sew garments for themselves. The early Greeks so highly prized figs that it was considered an honor to bestow upon the winner of various competitions, both the foliage and fruit of a fig tree.

These trees not only survived the cataclysm that brought an end to the giant dinosaurs and many other species. They flourished. These fruits have passed down from one generation to the other and continues to make memories. 

Did you know figs naturally help hold moisture in baked foods and keep them fresh? Fig trees don't have blossoms on their branches, but inside the fruit. It is the numerous flowers that produce the crunchy little edible seeds!  These fascinating trees, every day, for the past 80 million years have been combining their DNA and safely packing them in the form of seeds within the protective fruit. 

What about figs and me? 😋 It was a Saturday afternoon and my birthday. It was one of those birthdays when you thought everyone has forgotten what day it is.  Hungry after a half day at school and cycling back home, I only wanted to  have lunch and take some rest. However, after I went back to my room, and the whole house became silent, there was a suspicious movement. I crept down the stairs and across the hall, my heart beating faster than ever and my mind rushing with thoughts. I was happily surprised to see that my uncle came to visit us and how much more fun could it get! My sister and uncle, were trying their best to cook something as quietly as possible. Little did he know that it is very difficult to make my sister remain silent for even half a minute.  Even when she whispers, she is loud😂. Her talkativeness almost spilt the secret and immediately, my uncle told me to come to the kitchen only when I was called. 

After a while, I was called downstairs and blindfolded. My sister placed a bowl in my hand and made me guess what was inside it only by tasting. I could feel my palms going cold and guessed it was only ice cream. But why would she blindfold me to just taste some ice cream? There must be something special inside it. I hesitantly put a scoop into my mouth and it was both warm and cool at the same time. It was silky smooth, chewy yet crunchy and gloriously silky. It was honeyed fig and ice cream. I loved it. I simply loved it !

RECIPE                                                                                                                                          

INGREDIENTS

1.Dried fig rings (washed) – 20

2.Honey – ½ cup

3. Cinnamon powder – ½ tsp

4. Water – 1½ cup

5. Butter – 1 tbsp

INSTRUCTIONS

1.Place the figs, water, cinnamon and honey in a sauce pan over low heat.

2.Stir occasionally and cook until the figs become soft and the seeds come out.

3. Switch off the flame and add butter to prevent the figs from sticking to each other.

4. Serve it hot or cold along with vanilla ice cream.