Baked Figs with Grand Marnier and Whipped Cream

Servings: 6
Preheat: 300°
Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 40 min
Source: Gourmet

Ingredients
12 fresh figs
1/3 cup plus 2 Tbsp sugar
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup plus 1 Tbsp Grand Marnier or other orange-flavored liqueur
1 cup chilled heavy cream

Directions
Preheat oven to 300°F.

Prick bottom of each fig several times and stand figs in a buttered 9- to 10-inch flameproof gratin dish or ovenproof skillet. Sprinkle figs with 1/3 cup sugar, then add water to dish.

Bake figs in middle of oven, basting twice with pan juices, until tender, about 30 minutes. Transfer dish to stovetop, then add 1/4 cup Grand Marnier and bring to a boil over moderately high heat. Remove from heat and carefully ignite pan juices. After flames subside, juices should be syrupy. If pan juices are too thin, transfer figs to a shallow serving bowl, then boil juices until syrupy and slightly thickened, 3 to 5 minutes, and pour over figs.

Beat cream with remaining 2 tablespoons sugar and tablespoon liqueur using an electric mixer until it holds soft peaks.

Serve figs, warm or at room temperature, with syrup and cream.

Active time: 10 min Start to finish: 40 min