Pages

Tuesday 3 April 2012

a lime & fig compote... an existential crisis

I was having a bit of an existential crisis the other day.

You know, the sort where you know you're not getting any younger, and you feel like you haven't accomplished much.

The sort where you look back at the dreams you had, and how you fell short.

Despondent, I asked Simon what he thought made a successful life. "Enjoying it," he said simply.

Therein lies our differences. I have an ego, a hunger for approval, a slightly competitive streak, and yet I've never been able to stay passionate long enough to be exceptional at anything, invariably resulting in a self-flagellating sense of failure. He, on the other hand, is unburdened by the weight of covetous aspirations, and finds it almost bewildering.

Sometimes I feel so influenced by the world external to me that I no longer know what it is that I really want. What it is that will really make me happy. I wish, wistfully, for grand accomplishments, but I'm beginning to realise what I really need is to be at peace with myself.

sweet and sour... lime and fig compote.

So that brings us to this lime and fig compote. Basic techniques. Uncomplicated flavours. Stack it on some freshly toasted bread, and eat it while it's still blissfully warm. Not really a huge achievement, making this. And yet, in that quiet, fleeting moment, I found it unassumingly sublime. The rest didn't matter.

lime & fig compote

300g ripe figs (approximately 6 - 7 medium-sized figs, or 2/3 lb)
3 tablespoons raw sugar
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 teaspoon lime zest (optional)

Trim off the hard stems of the figs and discard. Slice the figs into eighths. I do this by vertically slicing them into quarters, then horizontally halving the quarters.
Simmer the chopped figs with the rest of the ingredients in a saucepan for 15 - 20 minutes until the figs are soft and the juices are reduced. I like to turn up the heat towards the last few minutes, partly to hasten the process, and partly to introduce a lovely thick hint of caramelisation.

If you're going for a compote that goes with some bread, as I was, aim for a final result that is moist and plump, but free from excess liquids. You want a compote that is dry enough to sit pretty on toast, yet still succulent enough so that the fleshy, almost jelly-like fig pieces burst with juices as you bite into them.

So serve this while it's still comfortingly warm, on slices of freshly toasted bread, and congratulate yourself on this little triumph: one of the many you can celebrate amidst the ups and downs of life.

lime and fig compote on toasted pane di casa.

72 comments:

  1. I love figs and it is so great that they are in season at the moment. I think what you've done with them is really special - this would be full of flavour xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I'm enjoying the fig season for sure. The great thing about figs is that they can be so tasty with such minimal effort.

      Delete
  2. Dear leaf,

    Some of the best things in life are often the simple things. Trust your instincts.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love this post- I feel like you're describing me better than I ever could! I also have a need for approval and a competitive streak even though I described myself as "not competitive at all" for so long. It really can get me down.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Meredith - it's such a tricky thing, managing our mindsets, isn't it. It's funny how difficult it can be to just do what we enjoy, have fun with it, and not worry too much about the rest...

      Delete
  4. i love your writing and your photos
    i always feel the need for approval and i am definetely competitive
    but in my case, i am my own harshest critic. i really need to change tat

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Yumeko! I know what you mean. Sometimes you just have to do what you can and be satisfied (even if grudgingly) with it.

      Delete
  5. Well, now I know I will have to get to the store to get the ingredients for this recipe. Because my friends are coming over this weekend so I have to make this recipe for them. Thanks soo much for this recipe! :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for coming by Robert! I hope you and your friends like it! :)

      Delete
  6. Good enough to go with roast turkey and good enough to go with desserts. :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. I appreciate the simplicity here. Fig is a very gentle fruit and using lime and its zest to lift it up is actually quite ingenious!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you - it really was a lovely combination. :)

      Delete
  8. I love that you have used these figs in such a simple manner. Delightful to say the least. Also thanks for sharing your thoughts with us and I love that simon considers a successful life an enjoyable one - perfect!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Sherilyn! Indeed, Simon can be quite wise sometimes. ;)

      Delete
  9. I strongly suggest reading/youtubing/experiencing Pema Chodron... she is amazing.

    this is also amazing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for the suggestion and your kind words, Carla! I've just looked up Pema Chodron, great insights, will explore further. :)

      Delete
  10. Oh, it's like you took the thoughts from my brain. So at least you can know that you're not alone out there!

    Beautiful compote - I love how uncomplicated it is.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Certainly not alone - it seems to be a not uncommon affliction. Now to find the cure... :)

      Delete
  11. Being at peace and content with the now is one of my true goals in life. So often, I find myself suffocated with a strange mix of yearning and fear and anxiety and a desperation that I'll never get to where I truly want to be, and yet I can't decide where that is. Terror and yearning.

    Focusing on simple pleasures and enjoyment, like this compote, is key. Well done, and keep listening to your fella. I think he has the right idea.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, definitely relate to that. I feel like there's something that will make me happy, but I'm still searching for that something. Instead of dwelling on that, I should just enjoy what I do, and do what I enjoy. My fella is rather excellent indeed; hopefully his perspective rubs off on me.

      Delete
  12. I can relate to your feeling of inadequacy in wanting to surpass yourself in everything. And I also live with a man who is exceedingly talented in his field (and others) and doesn't seem to bother about those grand aspirations... he simply lives the moment and is doing what he loves. Don't dwell on those so-called failures, because they are anything but! Live in the now and relish in your accomplishments, however small or insignificant they may be for others. If you give them meaning, then it will all turn out okay in the end.
    The compote is great. It is balanced. The tingy hint of lime with the sugary awesomeness of figs, because you both need the tingy and sugary in your life! :)
    Take care Leaf and thank you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah, your man does sound a little like mine, though obviously they're not the same person. ;) I think things will turn out okay in the end, and even if I doubt it sometimes, I should at least live and relish the now, as you say. Thank you, too, Marie-Anne. x

      Delete
  13. Love all of these photos! and the food looks so good! Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  14. Ah leaf ... we are both on the same page in regards to life!! Sadly I am not entirely a fan of either fig or the tartness of lime ... but I completely endorse the sentiment behind the dish!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Temasek! Let's enjoy our lives the best we can, regardless of our fruit preferences! ;)

      Delete
  15. Leaf, you've eloquently expressed how some of us feel often! I feel a drive to push myself and be competitive and seek things too and wish that I often didn't so things could be peacefully happy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The competitiveness and the seeking is both a blessing and a curse, isn't it? But, bless, I'd definitely say you are quite the success, Lorraine!

      Delete
  16. I can relate for sure to your words about life and accomplishing your dreams and worrying about getting older. I keep telling my daughter, don't worry honey...it just gets easier the older you get. You grow into your own skin more comfortably, shed those insecurities society puts on young people, and generally become a happier 'live for the moment' kind of person. You are already doing it with your beautiful blog. Oh, and how figs would make the whole process that much sweeter. I love figs...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your wise words, Sarah! And yes, I think blogging does help me cherish, even more, those little pleasures that really make life what it is.

      Delete
  17. I would really enjoy that compote, wish I had seen it last week when I had a stack of figs

    ReplyDelete
  18. I love figs and your compote looks delicious. Simple and delicious. Gorgeous photos too.

    ReplyDelete
  19. This is exquisite! Enjoy just being you.... life is over way to quickly!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Lizzy. You're an inspiration when it comes to a positive outlook on life!

      Delete
  20. What a great way to use some of my figs - and I have a groaning lemon tree to use in place of limes. Seems to me, this would go rather nicely with a lump of cheese ....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It should go well with cheese. I didn't get around to finding out... :p

      Delete
  21. I get into those moods quite often.. and find that at the end of the day life goes on.. so suck it up or so I tell myself.. doesn't make it any less easy :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Everlasting contentment can be so elusive, no? I think sometimes we're too hard on ourselves.

      Delete
  22. I so could have written this post! but I didnt, you did... Im better these days with the 'whats it all about?' head shag but it still creeps in every now and then. We just have to keep soldiering on and cooking.
    T xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Indeed. Hopefully these niggling thoughts come around less often with age. Or perhaps we'll find the antidote.

      Delete
  23. I very much sympathise with your feelings but did get distracted by the beautiful recipe. I do have a fig obsession at the moment they are just so delicious!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's hard to ignore a good fig! Distraction is what it's all about.

      Delete
  24. Man, Leaf this is the perfect fig recipe for me. I like it more broken down like this am sure I'd enjoy this most. THanks for sharing this with us! Btw, I really love your blog posts. You're so great at sharing both your personal as well as food stories in one post each time. Simon sounds like such a wise and thoughtful man, his answer was so profound it made me think haha. You two sound so perfect for one another =D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Winston! Your beautiful comments always cheer me up. x
      Simon is wise indeed, and as for his thoughtfulness, I think his greatest gift is actually in not thinking too much, but just being and doing.

      Delete
  25. This sounds like a beautiful recipe. I really enjoy the stories behind each of your posts (echoing Winston). I can identify with a lot of these feelings!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Catty! I used to keep the more personal stuff out of my blog, but I'm quite appreciative of the human element these days... to reach out, and to receive responses like yours. x

      Delete
  26. I love compote and this is just a divine combination... I see what you mean about the citrus love; I'm with you! :).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hurrah for citrus love! Just quietly, I prefer it over chocolate. ;)

      Delete
  27. Leaf, A little triumph indeed! I've never pared lime and fig, but now I want to:) Your compote looks awesome.
    -Erin

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a lovely pairing. Mind you, I do try to sneak in lime and lemon into almost anything. ;)

      Delete
  28. I like how Simon had put it - Enjoying it. So true. Sometimes I get caught thinking about what I haven't done I forget to appreciate what I have done or what I have right now and in this case, I have your delish compote to look at :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So true! Rather than dwelling on the negative, perhaps it would be a better idea to spur ourselves on with our positive achievements.

      Delete
  29. I totally agree about being at peace with oneself. When I was working like crazy, counting achievements as tangible performance indices, I felt I did not accomplish much. However, after I slowed down and gone back to the basics of enjoying life really simply, I learn to be at peace with myself.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I think slowing down and going back to the basics is a good idea. Nice to hear that it's working out for you!

      Delete
  30. I totally understand what you mean Leaf. But check out your wonderful blog! This is a massive achievement :)
    Loving this compote. It is the perfect time for figs to be compote. I love the lime here too :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awww thanks Anna! Having this blog does make me feel like I'm at least doing something with my life. :)

      Delete
  31. My best friend is like that. She has a great job and a degree at 22 but feels like she's achieved nothing. I often don't know what to say to her sometimes!
    Maybe I should make her some of this :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Your friend sounds pretty accomplished to me! I vote yes to making her some of this. :D

      Delete
  32. I adore figs - this looks like a great way to eat them. I hope you can achieve both your dreams and a sense of being at peace with yourself :)

    ReplyDelete
  33. I so totally understand what you mean! I have the drive to keep me motivated to achieve something, actually, but I can assure you that when I get there it never feels as I was expecting it to. I should definitely enjoy life more. Bring in the figs!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I've also had achievements before where it doesn't feel as amazing as I thought it would be. Interesting how that happens. Bring on the figs, indeed, either way!

      Delete
  34. So simple, but looks delicious! I'm a big fan of figs as well so this is certainly one I'll be trying.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Yum! I'll be trying this!!

    ReplyDelete
  36. I love the way you write. I'm a big believer in fate, once I realised that things happen for a reason and that the path you travel is somewhat chosen by the universe, I started to relax a whole lot more. Now hand me that Peruvian pipe and a daisy chain.

    T xx

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts with Thumbnails