Description

Caramelizing fresh figs up in a bit of honey and butter highlights their sweet flavor and makes them seem extra-fancy. (Hot tip: this can also really improve underripe figs!)

Directions

1. Gather the ingredients.
2. Rinse the figs clean and pat them dry. Trim off and discard stems and cut the figs in half lengthwise. Set them aside.
3. In a medium frying pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the honey and gently stir it into the butter.
4. When the mixture is fully combined, set the figs cut-side-down in the honey-butter mixture and cook. Shake the pan now and again to keep the figs from sticking and spoon the honey-butter mixture over the tops of the figs until everything is bubbling and the figs are starting to brown, about 5 minutes.
5. If using port, Madeira, or another fortified wine, remove the figs from the pan, and whisk in the wine.
6. Once the wine is whisked in and a smooth sauce forms, let it simmer and bubble until thickened, about 2 minutes.
7. Add the figs back to the pan and spoon the sauce over them, heating everything together. 
8. Serve the figs hot or warm, along with ice cream or topped with a dollop of yogurt or whipped cream, if you like.