The fig is integrally woven into the fabric of history. It has even found its way into unlikely words in the English language. Prolific, meaning plentiful or very productive comes from the root words "Proli" (many) "Ficus (figs). Sycophant, or someone who is a "bootlicker" or grovels before authority, means to "show the fig". According to one source, although there is another theory as well, sycophants were those individuals who turned in those who were illiegally exporting figs in ancient Greece. Condit, in his work "The Fig", p. 6, revealed some interesting details regarding the figs' symbolic significance in ancient times. "The Fig, an Emblem of Fertility; its Phallic Significance: In Oriental countries, according to AIGREMONT (1908), the fig is a symbol of fertility and of propagation. Among the Hellenes it was sacred to the sensuous, flabby, procreative god Dionysus, who, in order to keep his promise to Polyhymnos, placed a phallus of fig wood upon the latter's grave and preserved the promised favor for himself. The fig tree was in the vegetable world that which the swine was in the animal world, the most pronounced symbol of procreation and of fruit-bearing. Especially was the fig sacred to Priapus, in whom the phallic characteristics appeared most pronounced; images of this god were carved from fig wood. The phallus carried at many Dionysian festivals was also of fig wood. The fig became the tree of the phallic worshippers of India as well as of Italy where the people still use the gesture "fico", the thumb inserted between the two fingers. This prophylactic gesture, known in all Mediterranean fig districts, was once sexual in character, the thumb apparently being a symbol of the phallus. The French expression for it is "faire la figue"; the Italian, "far le fichi"; the Spanish, "hacer la higa"; the Portuguese, "dar huma figa". An early reference to this gesture is made in Dante's Inferno, Canto XXV, 1-3: "A la fine de le sue parole ii ladro Le mani alz~), con ambedue le fiche Gridando:Togli, Iddia, cha te le squadrol." The words "le fiche" appear in translation as in mockery. Amulets, or phallic symbols, made of ivory, bronze, porcelain, and other materials are worn in various countries. J. LEITE DE VASCONCELLOS (1925) gives an excellent account of these amulets and illustrates over threescore forms used in Portugal, Italy, and northern Europe (FIG. 1). Figs of sugar candy in the form of a phallus were once sold by peddlers at the autumn festival of a Shinto Shrine in Kyoto, Japan. (See F. S. KRAUSS, 1907.)" Merry Christmas to all of my fig friends, both here in America and in the lands across the sea as well!

Diane, How about a traditional Sticky Toffee Pudding? That is what I intend to serve again this year. I cut it out in rounds to serve, but you can also serve it sliced. Home Cookin Chapter: Recipes From Thibeault's Table Sticky Toffee Dessert ===================== Source: Vancouver Cooks - Chef Rolf Gunter from Rim Rock Cafe & Oyster Bar 1 cup whipping cream 1 1/4 cups unsalted butter 2 1/4 cups brown sugar 6 oz. Pitted dates 1 tsp baking soda 1 1/4 cups boiling water 1 tsp vanilla 1 egg 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour 1 1/2 tsp. Baking powder NOTE: I used Medjool Dates . This comforting Pudding lives up to its name! For an extra touch, garnish dessert with a drizzle of chocolate sauce. Serves 6 to 8. Note: I used my Caramel sauce over this dessert. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8 inch springform pan with aluminum foil and butter it well. Place cream, 1 cup of of the butter and 1 3/4 cups of the brown sugar in a saucepan on medium heat. Boil for 5 minutes, until the sauce begins to turn brown and thicken slightly. Pour half into the springform pan. Save the rest of the sauce. Place dates and baking soda in a bowl. Add boiling water, mix and let cool. Place the remaining butter , the remaining sugar and vanilla in an electric mixer. Beat on medium high for about 5 minutes, until well creamed. Beat in the egg, then stir in the date mixture. Combine flour and baking powder in a bowl. Fold into the egg mixture until evenly incorporated. Pour into the springform pan and bake in the oven for 30 minutes. Turn down the oven to 300°F and bake for 60 minutes, until golden brown and firm when touched lightly. To serve: unmould the pudding, slice it and place on individual plates. Drizzle with the warmed reserved sauce. NOTE: I found that this cake cooked much quicker than the time called for in the recipe. I baked it for 30 minutes at 350°F and then for another 20 to 25 minutes at 300°F. Caramel Sauce ============= Caramel Sauce 1 cup butter 1 cup sugar 1 cup brown sugar 1 cup cream pinch of salt 2 teaspoons vanilla . Mix all the ingredients together and simmer for about 5 or 6 minutes. Serve over Bread and butter pudding, apple pie and icecream, warm gingerbread, etc..

Happy Friday.... I have not been around to open Jeannes Christmas in July package, which arrived a few days ago. And she also included my poetry prize....very cool! And here are the 12 days of Christmas from Jeanne.....how fun! *Christmas card and inside a 12 days of Christmas word search game *Partridge in a Pear Tree.....Jeanne sent Pear preserves and a mug mat (made by Jeanne....love it) and in the pocket of the mug mat is American Classic Tea. The tea is the only tea grown in the U.S. and is grown at the Charleston Tea plantation in SC. *Turtle Doves...a white bird with a clip so I can attach to my Christmas tree, a gift ect *French Hens...Puffy Pancake recipe which uses eggs....a family favorite. *Calling Birds....CD with Christmas songs "Home For The Holidays"...the birds not only call, they sing....LOL! *Golden Rings...."Extra Golden" California Poppy Seeds *Geese a Laying....an artificial egg and the egg layed "Interesting and Amazing Information On Geese"...................a got educated on Geese! *Swans a Swimming.....a white wash cloth which reminded Jeanne of a swan.....and it is a soft one too! *Maids a Milking.....Milky Way candy bars *Ladies Dancing....They are dancing to the music on the CD....LOL! *Lords a leaping...Star package tie ons.....leaping to reach the stars. *Pipers Piping....A bookmark with Jeannes horse Piper.....How cool!!! *Pipers Piping and Drummers Drumming.....A steno pad....and on the cover of the pad are pipers piping and drummers drumming..... Jeanne, thank you so much! I absoloutley love my 12 days of Christmas......very, very clever. And thank you for my prize! Your surgery was on Tuesday. Thoughts and prayers......be well. Annie

Knives and Ink: Chefs and their Tattoos + Receipts - J Fitzgerald