Sausages with Sweet-Sour Figs

Recipe by Penelope Casas:


"My guests at tapas parties praise this dish perhaps more than any other and always remember it as the highlight of the tapas evening.  Fresh figs, when in season, but at other times of the year I use bottled figs with excellent results."

1 1/2lb sausage (lean breakfast or sweet Italian)
1 tbs olive oil
4 tbs white wine
2 tsp tomato sauce
salt pepper

Sweet-Sour Figs

1c sugar
1c red wine vinegar
1 stick cinnamon
4 cloves
1 slice lemon
1lb figs (if in bottle syrup drained)

1. make the figs by combining all ingredients in pan and bring to a boil and simmer for 5mins
2.  Add the figs and simmer for 20 minutes if fresh and 5 mins if bottled.
3.  Cool the figs at room temp overnight 
4. Cook the sausage in the oil and white wine until the wine evaporates.  Remove sasuages.
5. Deglaze the pan with 4 tbs water and 2tbs white wine.
6. Add the tomato sauce, salt, and pepper and simmer uncovered, for 2mins
7.  Drain the syrup from the figs (the syrup will not be used).
8.  Add the figs and sausages to the pan .
9. Cover and cook until the figs are heated.
10. Cut figs in half or quarters depending on their size and place on top of sausage.  Secure with a tooth pick.
11.  Can be assembled in advance and reheated when ready to serve.