Placek with Figs – 3

• This is a lovely placek – flat cake – this has similarities to English Fig Rolls.
• These were biscuits that my Tatus (dad) loved.
• He would have loved this recipe.
• Did you know that Jacob’s fig rolls were manufactured from 1903 after a machine in America was invented that made a pastry case over a filling?
• A fig mixture is sandwiched between 2 layers of shortcrust pastry – Kruche ciasto.
• The placek is made like placek with figs – 2 – it is the fig mixture which is diferent.
• You make the fig mixture first and leave it to cool as you have to use it cold.

INGREDIENTS

• 175g dried figs – chopped
• 25g muscavado sugar
• 50g dates* – chopped
• 75ml water
• 1/4 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda
• 1 orange – finely grated zest & juice
• 1 lemon – finely grated zest
• 1 small apple – peeled and coarsely grated
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• *
• * I will try leaving out the dates next time and just use extra figs.
• *
• Shortcrust pastry made from 250g of plain flour

METHOD

• Chop the figs and dates into small pieces.
• Add these to the water in a small pan.
• Add the bicarbonate of soda, the orange zest and juice and the lemon zest.
• Heat gently and then simmer, stirring as necessary until the mixture is
• Thick, sticky and jam-like.
• Leave to cool .
• Add the grated apple and the spices and mix well.
• Leave till cold before using.
• NOTE
• You can make this earlier and add the apple and spices before using.
• *
• Pre-heat the oven to GM5 – 190^o C.
• Grease and line a 26 x 21 cm baking tray.
• Divide your pastry into 2.
• Roll out 1 piece and use for the base.
• Cover the base with the fig mixture trying to made this even and as near the edges as possible
• Roll out the rest of the pastry and cover the fig mixture.
• Usea fork to make pin pricks over the surface.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes until the surface is golden.
• Leave to cool on mesh cooling tray.
• Cut into squares to serve,
• *
• Option – not tried – brush beaton egg white over the surface and dust with granulated sugar before baking.

Heathcote cake stand