"Ice-cream is exquisite. What a pity it isn't illegal." – Voltaire
It’s fig season! Bet you thought I was going to say pumpkin? That, too. I made a berry coconut oatmeal that became a summer staple, and with fresh figs in season and pumpkin filling the grocery store shelves, this only seemed like the natural progression. Although fall is officially here, we’re having a heat wave in Boston. Thus, it only seems fitting to enjoy this morning’s Pumpkin Fig Oatmeal Bake cold with some Greek yogurt, a drizzle of maple syrup, and a little almond butter.
These may not be my best looking muffins, but they’re like a chocolate chip cookie and fig newton wrapped into one. They’re dense, the figs are complimented by cardamom and the dark chocolate adds a bittersweet taste. I stumbled upon dried whole figs at a TJ Maxx/Homegoods when home in Maine, but I’m sure you can find them anywhere. As you know, I like making muffins with protein powder so they’re a bit heartier, nutrient-dense and keep me full longer. I reallyyyyy enjoyed these Chocolate Fig Protein Muffins, and they were both friend and boyfriend approved (which are both necessary measures of approval).
This is actually like porridge! I’ve been a little oatmeal’ed and overnight oats’ed out, but after all these brisk mornings, I wanted something with the same feel. You may be skeptical when mixing together flaxseed and chia seeds and nuts and coconut . . . but it is! Trust me. I was surprised too. I popped this concoction in the microwave thinking it wouldn’t absorb the milk and become fluffy quite like oatmeal does, but the result is like steel-cut oats or cream of wheat — just less gnarly and grainy; this Grain-Free Porridge with Fresh Figs has a much smoother and lighter finish. I had the last of my fresh figs left, so naturally I topped porridge with those and the some dried cranberries for a late summer, early fall feel.
Whole Foods has had a figs sale for the last few weeks and it’s been fantastic. (Perhaps “figtastic” is a better choice?) In honor of meal prep Monday, here’s Figs & Pecans Overnight Oats. Overnight oats are some of my meal prep favorites, especially in the summer because it’s just as good cold. It’s also quite easy to throw together and uses summer’s fruit produce: figs, strawberries and rhubarb to natural sweeten your no hassle breakfast.
So if you haven’t noticed in the last year, I’ve moved: first Ithaca, then Maine and now Boston. Here’s a working list of places I’ve found and may or may not have frequented. From drinks to flatbreads to baked goods and salads, I would definitely go back to all the ones listed below. Also to come is a post on how Fenway has begun its own rooftop garden full of veggies and herbs to use in their stadium throughout the season. Can’t wait to do some more exploring and find new spots! Have fun Exploring Boston.
Eat Drink Savor Repeat 