Figs with Goat Cheese – Detoxinista

In the event you’re like me, figs is likely to be a new-ish fruit to you. They don’t seem to be one thing my household ready after I was a child, so the primary time I noticed them within the produce aisle, I had no thought what to do with them.

However not anymore!

This straightforward fig appetizer is impressed by one I noticed in an America’s Check Kitchen cookbook. Their recipe requires a quick second within the oven, with walnuts and honey on high. I attempted it that means, nevertheless it’s a bit messy to function finger meals.

After some experimenting, I’ve found that I desire an extended bake time, and the nuts aren’t mandatory. (In actual fact, it may make every chew just a little awkward.) The figs have a slight “crunch” on their very own, due to their seeds, and the tangy goat cheese balances their pure sweetness, so it’s possible you’ll not even want the non-obligatory honey on high.

Fig Appetizer Components

Right here’s what you’ll want:

• Contemporary figs. Figs aren’t out there year-round, so it’s vital to leap on them once they pop up at farmers’ markets and grocery shops. Select figs that give barely if you press on them, so that you’ll know they’re ripe and candy. Nearly any number of fig will work for this recipe, however Black Mission figs are generally thought-about the sweetest.
• Goat cheese. Gentle goat cheese, additionally known as chevre, has a creamy texture and tangy taste that pairs nicely with candy figs. You’ll be able to simply scoop it into the middle of every piece!
• Contemporary herbs. I’ve examined this recipe with recent thyme and rosemary. Each work superbly with this mixture, so use whichever choice is most handy for you.
• Honey (non-obligatory). In the event you discover that your figs aren’t candy sufficient after cooking them, you’ll be able to add a contact of honey on high simply earlier than serving. It’s normally not mandatory if the figs have a darkish hue within the middle if you slice them open. (I additionally tried this with scorching honey, should you like a spicy kick.)

For added crunch, you’ll be able to high every fig with a walnut half or some chopped pistachios. After testing this with and with out nuts, I desire them with out. Nevertheless, my husband most popular the additional crunch, so it’s an choice should you’d prefer it.

Tips on how to Bake Figs with Goat Cheese

Step 1:

Preheat the oven to 400ºF and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Slice the stem off every fig, then slice the fig in half lengthwise, from high to backside.

Prepare the figs going through cut-side-up on the parchment-lined pan.

Step 2:

Use a 1/2 teaspoon to scoop the delicate goat cheese into every fig half. Evenly press it into the middle of every fig, if wanted.

Sprinkle recent rosemary or thyme on high, then place the pan within the oven to bake for 10 minutes.

Step 3:

When the timer goes off, take away the figs from the oven and allow them to cool for five minutes, or till they’re cool sufficient to switch to a serving plate. They are often served heat or at room temperature.

For a barely sweeter appetizer, add a contact of honey on high simply earlier than serving, or maintain the honey bottle close by so company can add it themselves, if desired.

Stuffed Fig Variations

Need to attempt one thing totally different? Listed below are a couple of concepts:

• Use honey goat cheese. As an alternative of constructing these messier with honey, you can begin with a honey goat cheese because the filling. (I’ve seen this out there at Dealer Joe’s.)
• Wrap it in prosciutto. If you’re serving meat eaters, salty prosciutto provides one other layer of taste that pairs nicely with candy figs and tangy goat cheese.
• Add nuts. Prime every fig with a walnut half or chopped pistachios for additional crunch.
• Change the bake time. I’ve seen recipes name for as little as 4 minutes of bake time, or so long as 40 minutes, relying on how jammy you need the figs to prove. I feel 10 minutes is adequate for a hand-held appetizer, however be happy to experiment with it!

Extra Appetizers to Strive

In the event you do this recipe, please go away a remark and star ranking beneath to let me understand how you prefer it.