Zucchini Bread with Grilled Fig and Goat Cheese

Recipe adapted from Bryce Gilmore, Barley Swine, Austin, TX

2 sticks (½ pound) unsalted butter
¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
½ medium lemon, zested
3 eggs
1¾ cups all-purpose flour
½ tablespoon baking soda
1 cup grated zucchini (about 1 zucchini)
8 fresh figs, sliced in half lengthwise
Extra-virgin olive oil
⅓ pound sliced ash-covered goat cheese (such as Ste. Maure)

Preheat the oven to 350°. In the bowl of a standing mixer, combine the butter with the brown sugar, granulated sugar and lemon zest until the butter is lightened in color, about 3 minutes. Whisk in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well between each addition. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and baking soda. Fold the flour mixture and the grated zucchini into the butter mixture, mixing until just combined. Pour the batter into a buttered and floured 9-inch loaf pan and place in the oven. Bake until the top is browned and the bread is cooked through, about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Remove the loaf from the oven and set aside to cool for 5 minutes. Remove the bread from the pan and cool completely before slicing into ½-inch slices.

On a hot grill pan or outdoor grill, brush the figs with a bit of olive oil, sprinkle with salt and grill until the figs are warmed and start to caramelize, about 20 seconds. Lay the zucchini-bread slices on the grill and grill until warm and grill marks form, about 1 minute. Arrange the grilled figs and zucchini-bread slices on a plate alongside the goat cheese and serve immediately.

Fresh Lemon Mousse and Sweetened Whipped Cream

Recipe from Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics

3 extra-large whole eggs
3 extra-large eggs, separated
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (4 lemons)
Kosher salt
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup good bottled lemon curd, at room temperature
Sweetened Whipped Cream, recipe follows
Sliced lemon, for garnish

In a large heat-proof bowl, whisk together the 3 whole eggs, 3 egg yolks, 1 cup sugar, the lemon zest, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. Place the bowl over a pan of simmering water and cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, for about 10 to 12 minutes until the mixture is thick like pudding. (I change to a whisk when the mixture starts to get thick.) Take off the heat and set aside for 15 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap directly on the surface and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours, until completely chilled.

Place half the *egg whites and a pinch of salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat on high speed. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar and continue to beat until the whites are stiff and shiny. Carefully fold the beaten whites into the cold lemon mixture with a rubber spatula. Place the cream in the same bowl of the electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment (no need to clean the bowl) and beat on high speed until the cream forms stiff peaks. Carefully fold the whipped cream into the lemon mixture. Fold in the lemon curd, and pour into a 7-inch-diameter, 3-inch-deep souffle dish. Decorate with sweetened whipped cream and lemon slices that have been cut into quarters. Chill and serve cold.

Sweetened Whipped Cream:
1 cup cold heavy cream
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Place the cream, sugar, and vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Whip on medium and then high speed until the cream just forms still peaks. Spoon the whipped cream into a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip.