Fig barbecue sauce

At our last cookout, I decided to do chicken, some with heat and some with sweet!  For the heat, we used my Chipotle-Orange BBQ Sauce, and for the sweet, we used this fig-based sauce:


Fig Barbecue Sauce


1/2 c dried figs
Boiling water to cover
3 T balsamic vinegar
3 T tomato paste
1/2 t salt
Canola oil
2 cloves of garlic, minced

3/4 c water
Bay leaf

Cover the figs with boiling water and set aside to soften.  Drain the figs and add the vinegar, tomato paste, and salt.  Puree.  In a small skillet, saute garlic in a bit of oil until softened.  Add the fig puree and add enough water to make a thick but workable sauce.  Add a bay leaf and simmer for 15 minutes.  Add more water if needed.  Store in the fridge.