Roasted Fig Pilaf

Here is a new recipe I created this evening. My husband's mother has a fig tree in her yard, so I wanted to create something yummy that we would be able to use her fresh organic figs. Get ready for a treat.. this pilaf is truly inspired by the Goddesses! It is so delicate and sweet, and it's almost like eating candy for dinner, almost. My husband was praising me for this, and told me I should submit this to a vegan recipe contest. I just might do that. I have a few months to decide if this is "The One" to enter.

Ingredients:

• 1 c. Organic Rice Blend (I used a mixture of brown, heirloom red, calmati and wild rice)
• 2 1/2 c. water
  
• 10-15 fresh figs, diced
  
• 1/4 c. diced onion
• 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp dried sage
• 1 tsp dried parsley
• 1/4 c. pine nuts
  
• Olive Oil
  

Directions: Pre-heat oven to 400 F. Dice figs and brush with olive oil. Roast in oven on cookie sheet for 25 mins. Meanwhile, in a large pot add water, rice and a teaspoon olive oil, heat on high until it boils, then simmer covered on low until tender. In a small pan add olive oil, onion, and garlic and saute until onions are tender and translucent. When rice and figs are done, mix it all together with parsley, sage and pine nuts.

I hope you like this as much as me. It is a great side dish, but I ate it as a main dish with fresh green beans from my friend's garden.