Figs Caramelised With Lavender Honey

"I first discovered lavender honey in the South of France and became semi-addicted to it. It is perfect for making a cold honey mousse to serve with summer berries and it adds a sweet touch of the perfume of summer to half a grapefruit in the depth of winter. Now that I live in Italy, I am also lucky enough to find it produced by the Monks at the nearby Cistercian Abbey of Fossanova.

In Sermoneta, figs grow wild, so in season you can gather them as you wander around town, or alternatively buy them for next to nothing at the local fruit markets. You can also make this with pears when figs are unavailable, or pears and figs together when figs arrive in the autumn."

Submitted by: Susan Doull, owner of property 55626 in Sermoneta.

Ingredients (Serves 4):

12 medium size figs
6 tbsp lavender honey
100g butter
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 lemon

How to cook this dish:

1. Carefully wash and dry the figs, and score an ‘X’ on the bottom of each one to prevent them splitting when cooked.

2. Melt the butter, honey and cinnamon together and bring to the boil over medium heat.

3. Add the figs and leave for 4 to 5 minutes, rolling them gently in the juices from time to time.

4. Remove the pan from the heat and place the figs on a serving plate.

5. Add lemon juice to the pan and cook for 2 minutes.

6. Spoon the sauce over the figs and serve.

Serve with:

A scoop of vanilla ice cream (or ‘panna’ if you can’t find vanilla) and a sprig or two of fresh lavender from the garden, accompanied by the delicious, prize-winning local Moscato di Terracina dessert wine, produced by the Vineyard Sant-Andrea about 20 minutes from Domus Doull.

Property 55626 is a fairytale, 12th Century house, with private garden and pool in one of Italy’s prettiest medieval towns. Enjoy cooking Italian style in the garden’s pizza oven and outdoor grill, then settle in and enjoy your meal at the stone table. Here, you have the best of everything; an idyllic setting, just 20 minutes from great beaches, and a half hour train ride from Rome.