Andy Montoya
A cheeseboard is a great way to impress at your next party, and dried figs are a perfect addition. Whether you're serving them as a sweet and perfumed braise, a simple dried fig relish, or a classic fig jam, dried figs add a chewy texture and a burst of flavour to your cheeseboard. This versatile fruit pairs well with a variety of cheeses, from creamy bries to sharp cheddars, and can be served whole or sliced on crackers. With a few simple tips and tricks, you can create a delicious and impressive appetizer that your guests will devour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preparation | Braise dried figs with rosemary and honey. |
| Braise figs with honey, vinegar, olive oil, and rosemary. | |
| Dried figs can be kept whole or sliced. | |
| Dried figs can be served as a relish. | |
| Dried figs can be used in a charcuterie board. | |
| Dried figs can be served with Greek yogurt and granola. | |
| Dried figs can be served with cheese at room temperature. | |
| Presentation | Dried figs can be served on a rustic platter. |
| Dried figs can be served as a French dessert. | |
| Dried figs can be served with crackers. | |
| Dried figs can be served with cured meats. | |
| Dried figs can be served with nuts. | |
| Dried figs can be served with mustard. | |
| Dried figs can be served with fresh herbs. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
How to prepare dried figs for a cheese board
Dried figs are a delicious addition to a cheese board, and they can be prepared in a variety of ways. Here are some tips on how to prepare dried figs to create a delightful and visually appealing cheese board:
Firstly, consider the type of figs you want to use. You can opt for dried figs, which are readily available and can be purchased in bulk from stores like Costco. Alternatively, if you have access to fresh figs, you can prepare them by braising or serving them fresh with cheese. When selecting fresh figs, look for ripe ones that are soft and feel like water balloons. Avoid hard and chalky figs, as they won't be as syrupy and flavourful.
When preparing dried figs, you can choose to keep them whole or slice them into smaller pieces. Sliced figs can be paired with crackers and cheese slices or crumbles, creating a delightful textural contrast. You can also create a dried fig relish by chopping the figs and mixing them with other ingredients, such as nuts, to add sweetness and tartness to your cheese board.
To take your cheese board to the next level, consider braising your dried figs. Braised figs have a rustic charm and pair beautifully with cheese. To prepare braised figs, start by melting honey, vinegar, and olive oil in a pan over low heat. Add rosemary and let it simmer for a minute. Increase the heat slightly and cut the figs in half, placing them cut-side down in the rosemary syrup. Braise the figs for about 2 minutes or until they soften, then sprinkle them with salt before serving.
When assembling your cheese board, aim for a variety of cheeses with different styles and textures. Include aged, firm, soft, and blue cheeses to offer a range of options to your guests. You can also add cured meats, crackers, nuts, and other accompaniments. Remember to set out the cheese about 30 minutes to an hour ahead of time to bring it to room temperature before serving.
Lastly, don't forget the presentation. Arrange the figs and other ingredients aesthetically on a large platter, leaving some space for people to maneuver. Add some fresh herbs or leaves for a pop of colour and a rustic touch. You can also include a small cheese knife, cocktail napkins, and toothpicks to make it easy for your guests to enjoy the delicious treats you've prepared!
The Perfect Don Wine and Cheese Pairing
You may want to see also
Cheese and meat pairings
When creating a cheese board, variety is key. This applies to both the types of cheese and the textures. For example, you could include a sharp cheddar and a mild goat cheese, or a combination of crumbly and sliceable cheeses.
For meats, allow 2 ounces per person for an appetizer platter, and up to 5 ounces if it's a meal. You can choose from pre-sliced meats such as prosciutto or Spanish ham (Serrano or Iberico), Italian dry-cured beef (bresaola), German speck, and mortadella. Hard salamis like sopressata, smoked kielbasa, and capicola are also good options.
When it comes to cheese, offer a variety of textures and flavours. Include something soft and pungent like a soft blue Castello, a triple crème Tur, Brillat-Savarin, or Brie. Provide something firm like an aged Parmigiano, and a cheese with a texture in between, like a Gouda or Spanish Manchego.
If you want to create an antipasto platter, add in pickles, such as pickled figs, along with Italian meats, breads, and cheeses. Herb-marinated figs are another tasty way to incorporate figs onto the plate. You can also add dried fig relish to a charcuterie board with nuts and cheese.
To complement the meats and cheeses, consider adding fresh or dried fruits, such as figs, apples, pears, or grapes. You can also include crackers, pita chips, cheese straws, nuts, and condiments like mustard or honey. Assemble the cheeseboard about half an hour before your guests arrive so that the cheese is at room temperature.
The Creamy Art of Serving Toscano Cheese
You may want to see also
Choosing the right cheese
Variety is the Spice of Life
Offer a range of cheese options to cater to different tastes and preferences. Include a mix of domestic and imported cheeses to keep things interesting and cater to those who prefer simpler, more familiar varieties, as well as those who enjoy exotic choices. This will add a nice balance to your cheese board. For example, you can pair a sharp cheddar with a mild goat cheese to offer contrasting flavours.
Textural Contrast
When selecting cheeses, consider their textures. Include a variety of soft, firm, crumbly, and creamy cheeses. For instance, a soft blue cheese like Castello or Brie can be paired with a firmer option like aged Parmigiano. A cheese that crumbles, such as goat cheese, can add an interesting textural element when contrasted with a smoother, creamier cheese like Monterey Jack.
Regional Focus
If you want to get creative, curate a selection of cheeses from a specific region. For example, you could choose Italian, French, or Spanish cheeses and meats to give your cheese board a thematic twist. This approach ensures a natural flavour pairing and can make your shopping process more focused and efficient.
Personal Preference
While offering a variety of cheeses is important, it's also essential to include some crowd-pleasers. Cheeses like Gouda, Brie, and Cheddar are widely enjoyed and can be paired with more unique options to ensure something for everyone. Ultimately, taste is subjective, so feel free to include some of your personal favourites!
Classic Combinations
Some cheeses are classically paired with figs, and for good reason. Blue cheese is a popular choice to serve with figs, as the sweetness of the figs balances the pungency of the cheese. However, if blue cheese isn't to your taste, a milder option like Manchego is also an excellent partner for figs.
When creating your cheese board, don't forget to consider the presentation and overall aesthetic. Leave room on the board for manoeuvrability, and pay attention to colour and texture to create a visually appealing spread. Most importantly, have fun with the process and don't be afraid to experiment!
The Art of Serving Chaumes Cheese
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Preparing the cheese board
First, decide on the cheeses you want to include. A good cheese board has a variety of cheeses, including different styles and textures. For example, you could include a sharp cheddar and a mild goat cheese, or a combination of crumbly and sliceable cheeses. Aim for at least three or four different types of cheese. Some examples of cheeses that go well with figs include:
- Blue cheese
- Manchego
- Monterey Jack
- Brie
- Gouda
- Parmigiano
Next, choose your figs. You can use either fresh or dried figs, or a combination of both. If using fresh figs, look for ones that are already soft and feel like water balloons, as figs do not ripen after they are picked. You can keep dried figs whole or slice them up to put on crackers with cheese. You can also incorporate figs in other ways, such as a fig jam or relish, or braised figs.
Now, select some additional items to round out your cheese board. You can include:
- Crackers: Choose relatively plain crackers so they don't overpower the flavours of the cheese.
- Nuts: Hazelnuts, almonds, pecans, and walnuts are good options. You can also glaze the walnuts for something extra fancy.
- Fruits: Fresh or dried fruits add colour and balance out the richness of the cheese. You can use seasonal fruits such as apples, pears, or berries, or dried fruits like apricots or cranberries.
- Condiments: Mustard is a must-have for any cheese board. You can also include other condiments like honey, jam, or chutney.
- Meats: Cured meats like prosciutto, salami, or sopressata are a great addition. Allow 2-5 ounces of meat per person, depending on whether the platter is an appetizer or a meal.
- Olives: Glossy black olives add a nice touch of colour.
- Pickles: Pickled figs or other types of pickles provide a tart contrast to the other flavours on the board.
Finally, assemble your cheese board! Arrange everything on a large platter, leaving some space so it doesn't look too crowded. Set out the cheese about half an hour to an hour ahead of time so it can come to room temperature. Don't forget to include some small knives, spoons, and napkins for your guests to serve themselves.
The Perfect Pairing: Brie and Grapes
You may want to see also
Serving suggestions
Dried figs are a versatile ingredient that can be served in a variety of ways on a cheese board. Here are some serving suggestions to elevate your next cheese platter:
Whole or Sliced Figs
You can opt to keep the dried figs whole, allowing your guests to pop them in their mouths in one bite. Alternatively, slicing the figs will make it easier to pair them with crackers and cheese. You can also choose to halve the figs and braise them with honey, vinegar, olive oil, and rosemary for a unique flavour profile.
Pair with Cheeses
Figs are known to pair well with various cheeses. Blue cheese is a popular companion to figs, but other options include Manchego, Monterey Jack, Brie, Parmigiano, Gouda, and Chevre. You can also serve figs with Greek yoghurt and granola for breakfast!
Charcuterie Board
Create a stunning charcuterie board by pairing dried figs with sliced cured meats, wedges of cheese, pickles, olives, mustard, and toasted nuts. You can also add a tart and sweet element with a dried fig relish made from Orchard Choice or Sun-Maid California Dried Figs.
Condiments and Accompaniments
Figs can be complemented by a variety of condiments and accompaniments. Honeycomb, apple butter or jam, and fig jam or spread are all excellent choices. You can also include a variety of crackers, pita chips, and cheese straws for your guests to create their own bite-sized pairings. Don't forget to add some fresh herbs or leaves for presentation and a small cheese knife for spreading.
Seasonal Fruits and Nuts
Add a pop of colour and texture to your cheese board by incorporating seasonal fruits and nuts. Glossy black olives, bright sun-dried tomatoes, grapes, apples, and pears are classic choices. For a festive touch, consider mandarin oranges, cranberries, and pomegranate seeds. Hazelnuts, almonds, pecans, and walnuts will also add extra crunch and flavour to your platter.
The Perfect Cheese Ball: Serving Tips and Tricks
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Choose a variety of cheeses with different styles and textures. For example, you could have a sharp cheddar and a mild goat cheese, or a soft cheese like brie and a crumbly cheese like feta. You could also have an aged cheese, a firm cheese, a soft cheese, and a blue cheese.
Dried figs go well with nuts, such as hazelnuts, almonds, pecans, and walnuts. You can also add cured meats, crackers, and condiments like mustard and honey. If you want to get fancy, you can make a fig relish or braise the figs in a rosemary and honey syrup.
Choose relatively plain crackers that won't overpower the flavours of the cheese and other toppings. You could also provide gluten-free options like rice crackers.
It depends on how many people you're serving and whether the cheese board is an appetizer or a meal. As a general rule, allow for 2-5 ounces of cheese per person, depending on the serving size.
Aim to assemble your cheese board about 30 minutes to one hour before your guests arrive so that the cheese can come to room temperature. Cover the cheese loosely with plastic to prevent it from drying out.
