Grilled Figs with Homemade Lavender Crème Fraîche

Ingredients

For Lavender Crème Fraîche

• 1
  
  cup heavy cream
  
• 1/2
  
  cup buttermilk
  
• 2
  
  tablespoons dried lavender buds
  
• 2
  
  tablespoons dark wildflower honey or other dark honey
  

For Grilled Figs

• 1
  
  pint fresh, ripe figs, halved lengthwise (green or purple, either works)
  
• 
  
  Olive oil, for brushing
  
• 
  
  Dark wildflower honey or other dark honey, for drizzling
  
• 1
  
  small bag hickory, cherry, or apple wood chips
  

Directions

1. Make crème fraîche: pour heavy cream and buttermilk into a clean jar, stir to combine. Add lavender buds and stir again. Let sit uncovered in a window sill, stirring and tasting occasionally for about two days or until thickened and pleasantly tangy. Skeeved out? Don’t be. The acid in the mixture prevents bacteria from growing.
2. Once the crème fraîche is thick and tangy strain out lavender with a fine mesh sieve. Store in a clean jar in the fridge until use.
3. Grill figs: Lightly brush the cut side of the figs with olive oil and oil the grate of the grill well.
4. Light the wood chips (I use the sort where you can just light the whole bag), and when the grill is very hot (you should only be able to hold your hand over it for a few seconds), arrange the figs cut side down on the grate.
5. Wait a few moments, maybe ten seconds, and then start flipping the figs with tongs, starting with the ones that went on first. There should be grill marks, if not, leave them a moment longer. Grill on the other side a few moments more and remove to a platter.
6. Lightly whip one cup of the cold crème fraîche by hand with two tablespoons of honey just until it reaches soft peaks.
7. Divide the figs up amongst two to four plates (two big helpings or four light ones!), dollop the crème fraîche on top, drizzle with honey, and serve.