Fig Bread with Onion

I have been wanting to make fig bread for awhile now. I was contemplating how to make it and whether I should put dates and nuts in it as well. I ultimately decided that the figs were going to be the main attraction. I also decided to add dried onion because I wanted this to be a bread-bread, not a really sweet bread. 

I prepared the figs by rinsing them under warm water and setting them in a glass bowl. I heated up a little olive oil, balsamic vinegar and brown sugar in a saucepan. I then poured the vinegar/brown sugar mixture over the top of the figs and refrigerated them for a day or two.

The bread turned out so good! It is soft and chewy inside with the slight crunchy bits from the figs. It's not real sweet and would be perfect for a sandwich or served with a side of vegan cream cheese and your favorite spread.

 An electric bread machine was used for this recipe

Fig Bread with Onion

1 and 1/2 cups non-bleached organic all purpose flour

1 cup organic whole wheat flour

2 tsp freeze-dried onions

1/2 tsp sea salt

1 tsp baking powder

1 and 1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp dry yeast

3/4 cup warm water

1 cup soaked figs (see above for preparation)

1 TBS sunflower oil

3 TBS cream sherry

1 TBS water

In a large skillet, add soaked figs with juicy syrup over medium heat. Let saute for about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. While figs are still warm, cut into pieces and place back in glass bowl. Add cream sherry and 1 TBS water. Let soak for 20 minutes or so.

Combine yeast with 3/4 cup warm water and let set for about 15 minutes.

In bread maker pan, add yeast/water mixture, fig mixture and sunflower oil. Pour flours on top, then onion, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Set bread machine to "quick bread", or 2 hour setting. Turn on and make sure dough ball forms and nothing sticks to sides. Add a little more flour if necessary. Let cook and take out 30 minutes before bread machine timer goes off. (I found that this was a small loaf and didn't need the full two hours of cooking).

Remove from Bread Machine and let cool. Transfer to cooling rack.