Things are becoming just the tiniest bit hectic around here at the end of this week. On Sunday we leave for a family holiday with all of our children and the amount of organisation required to sort out the farm, the garden, the pets, the flights, transfers and accommodation as well as the separate travel arrangements for our older two kids is mind-boggling. And exhausting.
It’s an exciting time, as I suspect it is the last trip we may do all together as a family, but leaving a property in the middle of summer is no simple task and one that is causing me a bit of anxiety. The fact that we have had to repair several water leaks over the last couple of months (and remember, we have no mains water, only tanks) has made me edgy. We have found a wonderful housesitter to care for both the house and the dogs and I have spent the last day or two writing her copious lists, including what seems like the contact details of everyone who lives in a five kilometer radius in case of crisis, but I really hope she won’t need them.
With the exception of preparing food for our party last weekend, I’ve barely given Christmas a thought – oh, hang it, I’ve barely given packing a thought either – but I did want to share one last Christmas recipe with you. I’m loving playing with the splendid KitchenAid food processor and whipped this Fig and Fennel Roll up at the very last minute, on a whim, for our drinks party last weekend. I’m still in quite a besotted “fig phase” and this combination of soft dried figs and fennel seeds is divine with a cheese platter.
These types of fruit rolls cost an absolute fortune to buy in the shops, but are the work of about 10 minutes with the aid of the food processor. Once again, it’s so easy that it seems cheeky to call it a recipe. My effort is not particularly lovely in the photo’s, but it is one of those delicious recipes that you can knock out late at night with almost no effort, ready to wow people the next day or to wrap prettily and give as a gift.
Fig and Fennel Roll
Ingredients
- 200 gms soft dried figs
- 1 cup walnuts pecans or almonds would probably work just as well
- 2 1/2 tsp fennel seeds
- 1-2 tbsp fig syrup or date syrup, or honey
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Cut the figs into quarters and place with all the other ingredients, except the fig syrup, into a processor. Whizz until very finely mulched up.
- Check consistency and add enough syrup to bind the mixture together.
- Remove from bowl, place on grease-proof paper and roll into a firm log, twisting the ends of the paper together tightly.
- Alternatively, roll it into balls and then roll them in crushed nuts.
- Refrigerate over night to allow it to firm up completely.
- Serve on a cheese platter.
The â’¸KitchenAid food processor was kindly supplied by KitchenAid Australia.
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I’m definitely going to be making this over Christmas. It looks fantastic Amanda, and ever since you mentioned it on the phone the other day I’ve been thinking about it and having it with a cheese platter. Yum!
Have a wonderful time on your holiday and try not to worry about things too much. Just enjoy the break!
yum!! I’ve made similar recently using prunes and walnuts – soooo delicious. Will give these a go too as I love fennel seed.
Have a fantastic holiday – look forward to seeing photos and hearing about it.
Your holiday away with the family sounds wonderful. You all deserve some fun time together. This has been a busy year for you.
I love fennel seeds and figs have been a favorite all my life. I must make this!
Have a wonderful, amazing and fabulous holiday, Amanda. I look forward to your travel blog. I wonder if you contacted my recommended guide for Morocco ??
So much organising and planning but I’m sure it will all be worth it as soon as you get on the plane. How lovely that the whole family is able to make it! We are going away in January but Archie can’t come. And last night we went out to dinner as a family (first time we’d all sat down to eat together in weeks) and Archie blurted out that he has to work on Christmas Day. Won’t finish work until around 6pm. I can’t believe it. Happy travels! xx
Such a simple idea and a great recipe. I’m going to be away at Christmas but need to take something tasty along to a friend’s house onthe day. I’ll be n an unfamiliar kitchen so I’m going to give this a go. For the record, I’m always in a fig phase! Enjoy your break (hey….you were just on holidays!)
Great addition to my holiday cheese boards and so simple! thanks!
The fennel seeds in this would give it a unique taste you don’t normally get in cheese pastes- brilliant idea for a homemade Chrissy gift!
How very exciting that you are going on holidays, and it sounds like somewhere fabulous. I always get so wound up before I go any where it takes me ages to just shake it off. but thats usually how it goes for women. Have a great time
I love making these instead of buying them-you’re right, they’re not inexpensive when you buy them and they’re so easy to make! 🙂
So perfect for entertaining indeed! I adore figs too and will definitely put this on my to-do list x
Love this idea! Perfect for the cheese platter this Christmas!
My my my what a great idea to serve this with cheese… or how about foie gras? Perfect!! I wonder if you are still on holiday – lucky you!! – or already back home? I assume when you get home there will be this lovely cheese and fig roll in your fridge waiting for you? This is really quite the perfect meal!
This is such a great idea, perfect on a cheese platter!