There is a story behind this post. It sarted with a single word.
Not even a pretty word, at that.
In fact, I’d even dare say it’s a very ugly word. One of the ugliest words I’ve ever heard.
What’s that word, you ask, that would, in spite of its extreme ugliness, inspire such a gorgeous salad?
G.A.S.T.R.I.Q.U.E
Admit it, it’s ugly. It sounds like some sort of a gross stomach disease where food would over macerate and be violently rejected by said stomach…
Alright, ‘nough said! 
As ugly as it may sound, though, the actual product that this word designates inspired me to create one of the most delicious salads I’ve eaten in my entire life. Not only that, it’s also inspired me to create a pretty interesting Goat Cheese, Honey and Lavender Ice Cream, as well as a spectacular Grilled Fruit Salad… and I’m not done. I still want to create so much more.
I want to use that stuff EVERYWHERE now…
However, there was no way I was going to let such a delightful concoction be tagged with such an ugly name. Especially not after having tasted it.
I’m telling you guys, this stuff is spoonable HEAVEN!
I decided to do a little research on the origins of the name “gastrique” and was so very pleased with my findings! To make a long story short, a gastrique is nothing but a sweet and sour sauce, a basic reduction of vinegar and sugar. The Italians have their very own equivalent, only they call it “Agrodolce”
AGRODOLCE!
Now THAT, I like. It sounds so musical, so poetic! Such a perfect name for this wonderful, [not so] sinful, heavenly creation.
I immediately adopted it.
Now this stuff isn’t necessarily cheap, or quick to make. But take my word for it, it is worth every penny and every second that you will put into it.
It’s like this super-mega-sweet-and-tangy-and-fruity-and-thick-and-syrupy vinegar. It’s so unbelievably packed with flavor, unreal!
What’s best is that you can use it with just about anything. You can also use it warm, or chilled. It would pair up really well with grilled meats, salads, greens, soft cheeses, fresh fruits, ice cream, pancakes or even warm cereal. Boy would it ever take oatmeal to the next level!
Seriously, I would just drizzle that stuff on everything.
It sure went brilliantly with this fig salad here. It was a match made in heaven. In fact, I created the salad WITH the Agrodolce in mind. I built the salad around the dressing, NOT the other way around!
Oh, and you’ll be surprised by how very little of this you really need. One tablespoon really goes a looooooong way!
Now, if the pictures haven’t convinced you yet, let me tell you that this salad is just total bliss for your senses. It smells wonderful, looks extremely pretty, and once it hits the inside of your mouth, it just sends you straight to the seventh heaven. Cake has NOTHING on this.
This is like candy in the form of a salad. It’s creamy and tangy and sweet and crunchy, all at the same time. The fresh figs and goat cheese just mix together and seem to literally melt in your mouth while the pistachio and pomegranate provide your molars with a little bit of crunchy action. And the peppery arugula just seems to tie everything together superbly. It’s simply the perfect leafy green for this salad.
Honestly, I had this one like 3 nights in a row, and I could’ve eaten it all week.
I’d spend all day dreaming about dinner…
Drooling….
INGREDIENTS
- 1 bottle (16oz) pure pomegranate juice
- ¼ cup unpasteurized liquid honey
- juice of ½ lime
- ½ cup sherry vinegar
- ½ cup white whine vinegar
- ¼ cup unpasteurized liquid honey
- ½ cup Pomegranate Molasses (above recipe)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Add pomegranate juice to a saucepan and place it over medium heat on the stove. Pour in honey and lime juice and stir to combine. Let the mixture simmer for approximately 25-30 minutes, or until it reduces to ½ cup of thick, syrupy liquid.
- Remove from heat and let it cool completely before transferring it to a glass jar for storage.
- Pour the vinegars and honey in a medium saucepan and set it on the stove. Turn the heat up to medium-low and stir frequently to dissolve honey. Let the liquid simmer for 10 minutes before adding pomegranate molasses. Stir until the mixture is smooth.
- Let it simmer for an additional 5 minutes or until you are left with a little over a cup of thick, syrupy liquid.
- Store in a Mason type glass jar in the refrigerator.
- This delectable sauce can be served warm or chilled over a wide range of dishes, including grilled meats, salads and even desserts.
- Of course, it can also be enjoyed by the spoonful straight from the jar (just don't tell anybody I said that...)
Notes
Recipe adapted from : Pomegranate Gastrique
Pomegranate Molasses… just look at the color of this stuff. I looks like liquid jewel!
The finished product going back into the jar. Smells sooooooo goood!
INGREDIENTS
- 2 cups fresh arugula
- 4 fresh figs
- ¼ pomegranate (seeds only)
- 30g raw unsalted pistachio
- 30g unripened goat cheese
- 1- 2 tbsp Pomegrenate Agrodolce
INSTRUCTIONS
- Place the fresh arugula directly in a serving plate to create a nice bed for the figs.
- Cut each fig into 6 pieces and place on top of the arugula
- Extract the seeds from about one quarter of a pomegranate and sprinkle on top of the figs.
- Top with pistachio and crumbled goat cheese and drizzle one or two tablespoons of Pomegranate Agrodolce over your salad. It might not seem like much, but you'll see that a little goes a long way!
- Sit back and prepare to be amazed!
Now for the salad!
Naked…
Drizzling the heavenly syrup…
So pretty…
Almost too pretty to eat…
BUT WAY TOO YUMMY TO PASS!
THIS…IS….PERFECTION…”PLATED”…We must be, decidedly, twins (wait…I already have a twin sis!)separated at birth, for I absolutely second the notion of eating this in every possible way on a near-daily basis. Last night I had the same “idea” of making an agro-dolce with figs and aiguillettes de canard…with roquette/arugula and the reduction “squiggled” decoratively around the admittedly carnivore-ish salad…(Idea unabashedly stolen from a recent meal in a restaurant)..Heaven on wheels…
I used balsamic vinegar…but I simply must make your version as I love pomegranite (and pomegranite molasses)..and fig/chèvre combos in all forms…Pistachios…exquisite culinary marriage!!!!
This has got to be one of your most spectacular offerings …ever…Thank you Sonia
Wow, thank you so much Donna! Perfection on a plate is pretty much the way I see this salad too. Heaven on a plate! Just wait ’til you try it…
And really, if anyone has to be thanked for this one, it’s Tender… had he not made that *urgh* gastrique, this salad would never have seen the light of day!
I’ve been waiting for this post. That ice cream sounds really good. Will you be posting about that?
Why of course I will! But I’m afraid you’re gonna have to wait a little longer still…
I really need to thank you for this, Tender. Had you not made that (god I hate that word) gastrique, I would’ve never discovered this amazing culinary delight… it’s just so good, words can’t even describe it.
Now that I think of it, not sure whether I should thank or curse you. While on this sugar free challenge, it would be the only thing calling my name from inside the fridge now, and of course, I can’t answer that call… poor thing must think that I’m mad at it or something! Mind you, there really isn’t that much left, but one thing I can tell you is it WILL get finished before this month is over!
This looks utterly incredible, love the pistachios & goat cheese.
That is one really amazing looking fig salad!
Thanks a bunch, Kevin! I hope you try it… I sure would love to see your take on it!