Pretty Party Mousse

18 Vanilla wafers

20 California dried figs

-- stewed and cut up 1 c Evaporated milk

-OR- light cream 1 c Water

1/2 c Sugar

1/2 ts Instant coffee

1 ts Cinnamon

1 ts Vanilla

1 c Minced toasted walnut meats

2 c Heavy cream; whipped

1 qt Chocolate ice cream

Whole figs for garnishing Crumble vanilla wafers and cut the figs into saucepan. Add evaporated milk or cream, sugar, and instant coffee. Place over medium heat and stir constantly until cookies and figs are blended with the liquid. Chill until cold. Add cinnamon and vanilla. Meanwhile, mince walnut meats and place in moderate oven (350 F.) for about 10 minutes or until crisp. Whip cream, reserving one-fourth for garnishing. Place ice cream in mixing bowl, stir until somewhat softened. Quickly add fig cookie mixture, nuts and whipped cream. Combine thoroughly, working fast. Before ice cream melts turn it into a mold and place in freezing compartment of refrigerator. Freeze fast until firm. To serve, dip quickly into just-warm water, turn out on chilled serving plate, garnish with whipped cream that has been sweetened and flavored with vanilla. Surround with whole figs. Serves 10 to 12. Source: 48 Family Favorites with California Figs Reprinted with the permission of The California Fig Advisory Board Electronic format courtesy of Karen Mintzias