FIG

Fresh Fig and Rose Smoothie

from Chocolate and Zucchini

- 6 ripe black figs (about 250 grams or 9 ounces) (see note 1)
- 2 or 3 large oranges, to yield about 250 ml or 1 cup juice
- 2 teaspoons rose water, plus more to taste (see note 2 & 3)

Remove the very tip of the fig stems and quarter the figs. Juice the oranges. Combine the quartered figs, orange juice, and rose water in a blender, and whizz until smooth. Taste, and add a little more rose water if desired.

Note 1: If the figs you have are not very sweet, throw in a dried fig (preferably a baglama fig from Turkey), rehydrated in a bowl of very hot water. It’s okay to use frozen (but thawed) figs; in France, they’re available from Picard stores, for instance.

Note 2: Depending on the potency of your rosewater, you may want to start with a gingerly amount (like 1/2 teaspoon) and work your way up from there.

Note 3 and from Charlotte: Rose Flower Water can be found in Danbury at Vivianne, at Balducci's, and in Europe, in the Markets. Doubly gorgeous used as a face toner if your cooking doesn't regularly call for the scent of fresh roses.