A phenomenal, figtastic meal

I’m of the firm belief, borne through study of behavior theory, direct observation and personal experience, that sometimes when you think you don’t want to do something (exercise, cook instead of picking up takeout) once you bite the bullet and just do it, you realize how very glad you are that you did.

I had one such hurdle on Thursday. A month ago, I had accepted an invitation for a dinner hosted by the California Fig Advisory Board. I love figs, and Cafe Juanita had long been on my list of restaurants to try, so saying “yes” was a no-brainer. Until last week, when the siren call of yoga pants and a good book was tempting me to send a last minute, “Sorry, something came up” email. But no, I was not going to go back on my word, even though it meant driving an hour in snarly commute traffic to Kirkland (thank goodness for audio books).

Was I glad? Yes, I was 200 percent glad that I went. It was easily one of the most delicious meals I’ve had the pleasure to experience, complete with good wine and great conversation with a small group of amazing women, a mix of registered dietitians who love good food and foodie professionals who are interested in nutrition. What’s not to love?

Acclaimed chef/owner Holly Smith developed a wonderful 6-course tasting menu using California figs (Fun Fig Fact: 98 percent of figs sold in this country are from California), presenting each dish as it came out. She also gave us the lowdown on the lovely wines that were paired with each course.

Prosciutto di Parma (aged for 30 months) with Black Mission fig:

Seared foie gras with Marcona almond cream, caramelized fig, thyme,
candied ginger and cacao nibs:

Bibb lettuce, sweet corn and fig salad with pistachio and tarragon:

Pappardelle pasta with rabbit livers and kidneys, charred figs and crushed hazelnuts:

Jamon iberico de belotta (pork from Black Iberian pigs raised in oak groves and
fattened on acorns) with polenta, white truffle Sulla honey (from Tuscany),
roasted fig and lacinato kale:

Sage gelato with fig conserves (as a palate cleanser before dessert):

Goat cheese and fig tortino (pie) with port fig sorbet:

This meal offered my first tastes of foie gras and…er…rabbit organs. They were delicious, and I was glad to have the chance to try them, even though I can’t see myself actually ever ordering them. The sauce on the pappardelle was divine, but I think my favorite dish was the Iberian pork…it was fantastico! I wish I wasn’t bordering on full when that course came, it was so very, very good. Even though each course was small, and each wine pour was smallish, I held back from finishing most of the courses (and all of the wines) since most of the food was quite rich and I did have to drive home!

It was fun to have figs prepared in so many ways. Truly a versatile fruit. I don’t know why I haven’t thought of putting fresh figs in a salad, but I certainly will in future, paired with a little goat cheese or sprinkle of blue cheese and a nice vinaigrette.

Among the foodie guests were Amy Pennington, a food writer, cook and gardener who has also authored a few cookbooks, including one of the best cookbooks ever (IMHO), Urban Pantry: Tips and Recipes for a Thrifty, Sustainable and Seasonal Kitchen. When I realized who she was, I may have gushed a bit much about how much I love her book, and especially her Perfect Roast Chicken recipe. I’ve made it a zillion times, and it is indeed perfection. All other roast chicken recipes are dead to me. I need to get her new book (released in June), Fresh Pantry.

I was also glad to meet Janelle Maiocco, CEO of Farmstr, an online market for buying farm food direct from the farmers (in the Seattle area). She also authors the blog Talk of Tomatoes. Also new-to-me was Linda Augustine, creator of the blog A Year at the Table. I will definitely be turning to her archives for quick dinner ideas.

Thank you to the California Fig Advisory Board and FleishmanHillard for putting on this wonderful event!