Bushra Griffith
Figs and cheese is a classic combination, with the salty, creamy texture of cheese complementing the sweet, jammy texture of figs. Fresh figs are a delicacy, with a short shelf life, but dried figs are also a great snack and can be used in energy bars and raw desserts. Figs can be paired with a variety of cheeses, from creamy bries and soft-ripened cheeses to crumbly, sharp cheddars and stiltons. Fig jam is a versatile condiment that can be paired with blue cheese, brie, and aged cheddar, and even slathered on a disk of brie and baked. Fresh figs can be sliced and served with ricotta and honey on toast, or baked into a tart with blue cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fresh figs | Ricotta, blue cheese, prosciutto, mozzarella, burrata, creamy soft-ripened cheese, Chevre, mascarpone, creamy brie, creamy blue cheese, creamy goat cheese, halloumi |
| Fresh figs with honey | Ricotta, creamy blue cheese, creamy goat cheese, creamy brie, creamy soft-ripened cheese |
| Fig jam | Parmesan, brie, aged cheddar, mimolette, blue cheese, goat cheese, mascarpone, creamy brie |
| Fig preserves | Blue cheese, brie |
| Fig tarts | Blue cheese, goat cheese, prosciutto, bacon, mozzarella |
| Fig pie | N/A |
| Fig salads | Mozzarella |
| Fig puddings | Stilton, creamy brie, creamy goat cheese |
| Fig chutney | Chevre, blue cheese, prosciutto, bacon |
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What You'll Learn
Blue cheese and fig is a classic combination
You can enjoy this classic pairing in a variety of ways. For a simple yet elegant appetizer, try baking blue cheese with figs and walnuts, or create a sophisticated salad with blue cheese, figs, prosciutto, and bitter salad leaves like chicory. For a heartier option, top a pizza with blue cheese, figs, and salty prosciutto or bacon.
If you're feeling creative, try making a fig and blue cheese tart or get adventurous with a toasted cinnamon bagel loaded with blue cheese, fig preserves, and a thin slice of green apple. For a sweet treat, spread orange-fig jam on a disk of brie and bake it for a gooey, indulgent delight.
When choosing the perfect blue cheese for your fig pairing, consider a creamy, half-melted cheese like Cowgirl Creamery's Mt. Tam. The sweetness of syrupy figs and the crunch of toasted walnuts create a delightful contrast with the creamy cheese. Alternatively, opt for a salty blue cheese to balance the sweetness of the figs.
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Honey goat cheese and dried fig slices
To make this appetizer, spread out chopped pistachios on a small plate. Roll a log of goat cheese on the pistachios to coat the top and sides. Transfer the coated cheese log to a serving tray. Heat fig spread or fig jam in a microwave-safe dish for about 10 seconds and drizzle it over the cheese log. You can also add some honey to the mix. Serve this appetizer with crackers, sliced bread, or apple slices. For a festive twist, add dried cranberries to the chopped pistachios before rolling the goat cheese log, and garnish the tray with fresh rosemary and cranberries.
If you want to experiment with different types of cheeses, you can try creamy cheeses like Brie or Fromager d'Affinois, which pair well with fig, honey, and pistachios. You can also try blue cheese, which is known for its salty and sharp flavor with a pungent aroma.
Figs and cheese is a classic combination, and you can explore different types of cheeses to find your favorite pairing. Whether you enjoy it as an appetizer or a dessert, honey goat cheese and dried fig slices are a delightful treat.
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Brie and fig jam on a crisp cracker
Baked Brie with fig jam is a delicious and elegant appetizer that is perfect for holiday entertaining. It is a great combination of flavours and is easy to make.
To make this appetiser, you will need a 12-16 ounce wheel of brie, fig jam, and crackers. You can use a variety of crackers, such as plain water crackers or something more flavourful like fruit and nut-filled crackers. You can also serve it with baguette slices.
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the brie in a parchment-lined dish that has space for the crackers, fruits, or other accompaniments. With a sharp paring knife, make a criss-cross pattern on the top rind of the brie. Cover the top of the brie with a generous layer of fig jam and top with fresh rosemary.
Bake the brie in the preheated oven for 20-30 minutes until the cheese is very soft. You may see some oozing out, which is a sign that it is done. Remove the brie from the oven and surround it with crackers, fruits, nuts, or other accompaniments. Allow the brie to sit for about 10 minutes before serving so that the cheese is not too hot or liquid.
This Baked Brie with fig jam can be prepped up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Any leftovers can also be stored in the refrigerator. Just make sure to store the crackers separately in an airtight container. To reheat the brie, simply place it back in the oven until it is warmed through.
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Ricotta on toast topped with fresh figs and honey
Fresh figs are a delicacy with a very short shelf life, making them all the more special. They are packed with vitamins and minerals and are an excellent source of fibre, magnesium, potassium, and calcium. They also act as a prebiotic, aiding the growth of good gut bacteria.
When it comes to cheese pairings, fresh cheeses like ricotta go wonderfully with juicy, ripe figs. For a delightful breakfast or snack, try ricotta on toast topped with fresh figs and honey. Here's a simple recipe:
Ingredients
- Sourdough bread
- Ricotta cheese
- Fresh figs
- Honey
- Olive oil
- Milk or heavy cream
- Salt and pepper
- Fresh basil (optional)
Method
- Start by making the whipped ricotta. In a small bowl, add the ricotta, a drizzle of olive oil, milk or heavy cream, and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk for a minute or two until the ricotta becomes light and fluffy.
- Slice your sourdough bread into thick slices and toast them to your liking.
- Spread a generous amount of whipped ricotta onto each slice of toast.
- Slice the fresh figs vertically into 2-3 slices each and arrange them on top of the ricotta.
- Drizzle honey over the figs.
- For an extra touch of flavour, add a few fresh basil leaves and a pinch of flaky sea salt to each piece of toast.
- Serve and enjoy immediately! This dish is best enjoyed fresh.
Feel free to customise your toppings. You can add sliced fresh basil, a sprinkle of hazelnuts, or some fresh thyme for a unique flavour profile. If you're not a fan of ricotta, you can substitute it with mascarpone cheese. You can even add a layer of prosciutto for a savoury twist.
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Fig and mascarpone, grilled and drizzled with honey
Grilled figs with mascarpone and honey is a simple, delicious, and easy-to-make dessert. The combination of figs and honey is a classic, with the honey mirroring the taste of the figs. The sweetness of the figs is deepened and concentrated by grilling, and the addition of mascarpone, a rich and creamy cheese, provides a perfect pairing.
To make this dish, start by slicing ripe, plump black figs in half lengthwise and arranging them on a plate. Heat honey with a rosemary sprig in a small saucepan over medium heat, being careful not to let it boil over. Dip the cut side of the fig halves in the hot honey, coating them lightly.
Next, prepare the honeyed mascarpone by whipping mascarpone cheese with honey, rum, and lemon zest until it is fluffy and aerated. Grill the figs over medium heat until they are browned and caramelized, with dark grill marks. Flip the figs over and let them sit on the grill for a few moments to create grill marks on both sides.
To serve, spread a smear of the honeyed mascarpone on a dessert plate. Arrange the grilled fig halves on top of the cheese, and add a dollop of cheese to the side. Garnish with a rosemary sprig, and enjoy this sweet and indulgent treat!
This dessert can be made ahead of time, and the figs can be grilled in advance and warmed before serving. The combination of grilled figs, creamy mascarpone, and sweet honey creates a rich and indulgent flavour profile that is perfect for a summer treat.
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Frequently asked questions
Some cheeses that pair well with fig jam include blue cheese, brie, aged cheddar, mimolette, and goat cheese.
Some cheeses that pair well with fresh figs include ricotta, mascarpone, mozzarella, burrata, blue cheese, and goat cheese.
Some recipes that include figs and cheese are fig and blue cheese tarts, fig, mascarpone, and cinnamon puddings, and a toasted cinnamon bagel with ricotta and figs.
It is important to consider the balance and complementarity of the fig and cheese combination. For example, the sweetness of fig jam goes well with the saltiness of goat cheese.
