figs baked with crème fraîche

fichi al forno con crème fraîche

for 6

18 fresh, ripe purple figs

250 ml crème fraîche

90 ml thick honey

2 tablespoons water

120 ml grappa

Preheat the oven to 220°C/425°F/Gas 7.

Cut off the top stems of each fig and cut them horizontally in half. Choose a large ovenproof china dish in which the figs will fit snugly side by side, cut side up. Wet the bottom of the dish with the water, just to form a film, no more. Place the figs in as close together as possible. Drizzle a few drops of grappa over each. Spoon half a teaspoon of honey over each piece of fig and on top of that a teaspoon of crème fraîche.

Place the dish high up in the very hot oven for 5 minutes, or until the cream is slightly brown and the juices are running from the figs. Serve immediately.