Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   4      large         purple or green figs -- halved lengthwise
   2      teaspoons     sugar
     1/2  tablespoon    unsalted butter -- in very small
                        -- pieces
   4      scoops        vanilla ice cream
   2      tablespoons   honey
                        freshly ground black pepper
   4      sprigs        mint -- for garnish

Preparation:

Heat broiler. Place figs, cut side up, on a cookie sheet. Sprinkle the sugar over the figs and dot with butter. Place figs under the broiler as close to the flame as possible and cook until they begin to brown around the edges, about 2 minutes. Place 2 fig halves on each plate, along with a scoop of ice cream. Drizzle 1/2 tablespoon honey over each scoop of ice cream and sprinkle figs with pepper, if desired. Garnish with mint sprigs.