Cheese And Fig Pairing: Perfect Partners For Your Palate

Figs and cheese are a delightful combination, offering a range of sweet and savoury flavours. The best cheeses to pair with figs depend on their type and preparation. Fresh figs, with their short shelf life, go well with creamy cheeses like brie, goat cheese, and ricotta. For dried figs, stronger cheeses such as blue cheese, gorgonzola, and goat cheese are ideal. Fig jam or preserves complement firm cheeses, enhancing their texture and flavour. The versatility of figs and cheese allows for endless combinations, making them a perfect pairing to impress your guests or indulge your taste buds.

Fresh figs with ricotta on toast, drizzled with honey

To make this dish, start by choosing ripe, fresh figs. The type of fig you select is up to your preference, but some common varieties include Black Mission Figs, Brown Turkey, and Kadota. Remember that fresh figs have a short shelf life, so it's best to eat them as soon as possible after purchasing. When you're ready to serve, cut the figs in half lengthwise or into quarters.

For the cheese, ricotta is the star of this dish. Opt for full-fat ricotta cheese to indulge in the creamy texture and rich flavour. If you're feeling adventurous, you can also experiment with other cheeses like fresh mozzarella, burrata, or crumbled feta. Spread a generous amount of ricotta on your chosen bread, creating a delicious base for the other ingredients.

When it comes to bread, a thick slice of fried bread or toast works best for this recipe. Sourdough bread is an excellent choice, but you can also use multigrain artisan bread or gluten-free bread if you prefer. Toast the bread to your desired level and brush it with olive oil or melted butter for added flavour.

Now it's time to assemble! Spread the ricotta cheese on the toasted bread, then top it with the fresh figs. Drizzle honey over the figs, adding a touch of sweetness to the dish. For an extra indulgent touch, sprinkle chopped toasted hazelnuts and fresh thyme leaves on top. You can also add a pinch of flaky sea salt to enhance the flavours.

This dish is best served fresh and can be prepared up to an hour in advance. If you're looking for a delightful appetizer or a tasty treat for yourself, fresh figs with ricotta on toast, drizzled with honey, is sure to impress and satisfy.

Figs and blue cheese, a classic combination

Figs and blue cheese are a classic combination, and for good reason. The salty, sharp flavour of blue cheese is the perfect complement to the sweet, mellow fruitiness of figs. This pairing works especially well with dried figs, as the stronger flavour of the dried fruit can stand up to the boldness of blue cheese.

When creating a cheese board, it's important to have a variety of textures and flavours. If you're serving figs and blue cheese, consider pairing them with a soft cheese like brie or Camembert, a fresh cheese like goat or cream cheese, and a firm cheese like cheddar or Spanish Manchego. You could also include some nuts, such as walnuts, pecans, or pistachios, and a drizzle of honey to enhance the sweetness of the figs.

If you're looking for a more creative way to serve this classic combination, try making a fig and blue cheese toast. Start by simmering sliced figs in a mixture of Chianti, orange juice, orange peel, and rosemary. Brush some baguette rounds with olive oil and bake them in the oven until lightly toasted. Then, spread a mixture of blue cheese and butter onto the toasted baguette rounds and top with the cooked fig slices. Garnish with tiny rosemary sprigs, if desired.

For a simpler option, layer some fig preserves, blue cheese, and a thin slice of green apple on a crisp cracker. Or, if you're feeling adventurous, try stuffing a dried fig with blue cheese and topping it with a walnut and a drizzle of aged balsamic vinegar.

Figs with goat's cheese, a pairing for those who like salty and sweet

Figs with goats cheese, a pairing for those who like salty and sweet

Figs and cheese is a classic combination, and for good reason. The sweetness of the fig is offset by the saltiness of the cheese, creating a delightful contrast of flavours. When it comes to creating this flavour profile, goat's cheese is an excellent option to pair with figs.

Fresh figs and goat's cheese

The slight acidity of fresh figs pairs well with creamy cheeses like brie, and the addition of something crunchy, like a baguette or slivered almonds, makes for a delightful textural contrast. For a simple yet stunning dessert, try broiling fresh figs with a drizzle of honey and a spread of goat cheese.

Dried figs and goat's cheese

Those who enjoy dried figs will find that they pair exceptionally well with goat cheese, a strong and tangy cheese that stands up to the full-bodied taste of the dried fruit. For a savoury treat, top a piece of crispy pancetta with aged goat cheese and a dried fig for a combination of salty, sweet, and savoury flavours.

Fig jam and goat's cheese

When it comes to fig jam, you'll want to choose a cheese that complements the soft texture of the preserves. A firm, rich, and creamy cheese like goat cheese is an excellent choice. Try spreading some fig jam on a cracker, topping it with a slice of goat cheese, and finishing with a drizzle of honey for a sweet and savoury bite.

Wine pairings

When serving figs and goat cheese, consider adding a glass of wine to enhance the experience further. A sweet dessert wine will complement the sweetness of the figs, while a bold, intense wine will match well with stronger-flavoured cheeses. For a classic combination, pair a brie and fig dish with a Chardonnay, or opt for a blue cheese and fig pairing with a Zinfandel.

Figs and gorgonzola, a popular toast-topper

Figs and gorgonzola is a classic combination for a good reason. The saltiness of the gorgonzola and the sweetness of the fig complement each other perfectly, creating a delightful flavour profile.

For those who enjoy the salty-sweet combination, a popular option is to stuff a dried fig with gorgonzola, top it with a walnut, and then drizzle aged balsamic vinegar on top. This combination is a treat for the senses, with the crunchy texture of the walnut providing a satisfying contrast to the creamy gorgonzola and the soft, chewy fig.

Another way to enjoy figs and gorgonzola is to create a simple yet stunning toast topper. Start by brushing baguette rounds with olive oil and baking them until they are lightly browned. Next, combine softened butter and gorgonzola cheese in a small bowl and spread the mixture onto the toasted baguette rounds. Finally, top each toast with a slice of fresh fig and garnish with a tiny sprig of rosemary, if desired.

This appetiser is sure to impress your guests and is a great way to showcase the versatility of figs and the magic they create when paired with gorgonzola.

For those who are hesitant about blue cheeses, a sweet, mellow, fudgy Bay Blue from Point Reyes is a great option to pair with figs. This combination might just convert those who are unsure about blue cheeses, as the sweetness of the fig can tone down the saltiness of the cheese, creating a well-balanced bite.

Figs with cheddar, a bold and sharp pairing

Figs with cheddar is a bold and sharp pairing. The sweetness of the fig is contrasted by the sharpness of a cheddar cheese, creating a delightful combination of flavours.

When pairing figs with cheddar, it is important to consider the different types of figs and cheddars available. For instance, the most common variety of figs found in supermarkets is the Black Mission Fig, but other types include Brown Turkey and Kadota. Each variety of fig will have unique flavour and texture profiles, which can be paired with different cheddars to create distinct taste experiences.

Similarly, cheddars can vary in flavour and sharpness. A New Zealand Grass-Fed Cheddar, for example, is a more approachable option for those who prefer less pungent cheeses. On the other hand, a Wisconsin Cheddar is described as bold and sharp, promising an explosive taste experience.

When creating a cheese board with figs and cheddar, it is essential to include a variety of cheeses and figs to cater to different taste preferences. Fresh figs, dried figs, and fig jams or preserves can be paired with hard and soft cheeses. For instance, a soft, ripe, and sweet fig can be paired with a semi-hard cheese like Asiago, which has a mild and nutty taste.

Additionally, the texture of the cheddar should be considered when pairing with figs. A firm cheddar, such as a cheddar cheese wheel, can be sliced and served with fresh figs. In contrast, a softer cheddar may be better suited for spreading on a cracker or baguette slice, topped with a slice of fresh fig.

When serving figs and cheddar, it is recommended to allow the cheese to come to room temperature to fully enjoy its flavour. This typically takes about one to three hours, depending on the type of cheddar.

The versatility of figs and cheddar allows for endless combinations and creations, making it a fun and exciting pairing to experiment with. Whether served as a fancy entree or a simple snack, figs with cheddar is a unique and bold pairing that is sure to impress.

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