I grew up as a child in California on Fig Newtons. They were by far my favourite treat with their gooey dark treacle treasure. As an adult, I stopped eating wheat, so one of my childhood memories was stripped from me and put on the no fly list. Well enough is enough! Here is my spelt and no sugar orange infused version that tastes just as decadent as I remember, but also is something that I would feel comfortable diet-wise splurging on a little - and is especially useful in meeting sweet tooth child approval .
-Matt Miller
Figgy pudding rolls
For filling:
2 cups puréed (fired or fresh) figs *
1 orange juice plus the zest
1tsp clove
1/2 cup Cointreau or triple sec
Purée all in mixer then,
Simmer all for 30 mins then let cool and then blender or processor
*Soak the figs in Cointreau for 30 mins first if dried
For crust:
2 cups spelt flour
1/2 tsp salt
1tsp Baking powder
1 apple
1/2 sugar*
1 stick unsalted butter
2 eggs
*rapadura or coconut preferred as healthier sugars
Cook 1 peeled chopped apple over med heat for 15 mins with 1/2 cup sugar ( allow to cool completely and blitz in mixer)
Measure out 2 cups spelt flour with 1/2 tsp salt and 1tsp Baking powder
Knead 1 stick of cold butter in chunks into dry ingredients until crumbly
Add 1 egg beaten to this
Add cooled apple mix
Refrigerate then roll out dough 1/4 inch thick into a long long rectangle shape that is about 3 inches wide between parchment paper .
add heaping line of filing down the centre inch of dough down the length
Roll together so that seams touch and rollover so seam side is down onto a lined baking pan.
and roll seam down .
Gently flatten the roll by half (without squeezing the filling out the ends)
brush with beaten egg yolk to brown
Bake 12-15
375`C/180`F
Historical Note:
Remember the lyrics to We Wish You a Merry Christmas that go,
“ Oh, bring us some figgy pudding
And bring it right here
Good tidings we bring to you and your kin
We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year
We won't go until we get some
We won't go until we get some
We won't go until we get some
So bring it right here!”
Notice the slightly menacing undertone? Carolling in the Tudor era was first off not done before the Christmas holiday, it was done AFTER as part of the 12 nights of Christmas activities. Carolling was a chance to dress up in masks and costumes and go round to the wealthy neighbours houses anonymously and poke a bit of fun and ask for Christmas leftovers. It was the one time of year you could tell you social betters or you neighbours what was on your mind and in the spirit of jest, get away with it !
