Figs with Prosciutto

We went to Eastern Market in Detroit area last weekend again.  Guess what I found? Fresh figs! There were two kinds of fresh figs on the market.  One was kind of yellowish; the other one is deep dark purple.  The vendor told us the purple one is better but a little bit more expensive. 

We bought the dark purple figs.  And the vendor was right.  They are so juicy and sweet and fragrant that I literally couldn’t stop eating them.  O(∩_∩)O~ 

I bought some prosciutto later and made a beautiful appetizer with figs and prosciutto. 

Ingredients:

8 to 10 fresh figs
8 to 10 slices of prosciutto
shaved Parmesan cheese
fresh rosemary

Directions:

Split each slices of prosciutto into halves lengthwise. 

Rinse the figs under running water and pat dry.  Cut them into halves. 

Wrap each piece of figs with half slice of prosciutto.  Secure with fresh rosemary. Sprinkle with shaved parmesan cheese.

Don’t forget to remove the rosemary before eating.

All you need now is a glass of wine! 

If you are not that into cheese, just skip the shaved Parmesan. 

Or you can just put the figs and prosciutto on the plate side by side. 

Asian Style Boiled Peanuts

中文菜谱:五香水煮花生

You are still eating popcorns when watching movies or having beers with friends?  Try boiled peanuts which are tastier, healthier and so much more fun to eat! O(_)O~ 

Ingredients:

2 to 3 pounds raw peanuts with shells
3 star anises
2 to 3 teaspoons five spice powder
black cardamom pot
1 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns
1 handful dried chili peppers
1 small cinnamon stick
3 to 4 bay leaves
2 to 3 cloves
1 to 2 teaspoons sugar
salt to taste*
water for boiling peanuts

* Add a little more salt than how you usually season your food.  Otherwise the peanuts in the shells might not be well seasoned.   

Directions

Clean and rinse well the peanuts under running water.

Add peanuts along with all the spices and seasonings to a medium stainless steel boiling pot .  Add twice or three times as much water as peanuts.

Heat the pot over high heat until it boils.  Cover with lid and reduce the heat to simmer for 2 to 2.5 hours.

 

Stir occasionally to prevent burning on the bottom.  Stirring also helps peanuts to be better seasoned. 

All we need is a couple cold beers! O(∩_∩)O~