Kamil Perry
Goat cheese and figs are a classic combination that can be served in a variety of ways, from baked figs stuffed with goat cheese to a simple goat cheese dip with fig jam. This dish is a great appetizer that is sure to impress your guests with its beautiful presentation and delicious combination of sweet and savory flavors. The creamy and tangy goat cheese pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the figs, and the addition of toppings such as honey, balsamic vinegar, pecans, and thyme leaves enhances the flavor profile and texture of the dish.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Dish | Appetizer |
| Ingredients | Fresh Figs, Goat Cheese, Honey, Olive Oil, Salt, Pepper, Balsamic Vinegar, Thyme, Pecans, Chives |
| Preparation | Cut figs in half, stuff with goat cheese, drizzle with honey, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, sprinkle with salt, pepper, thyme, pecans, and chives |
| Cooking Method | Baking, Broiling |
| Cooking Time | 4-20 minutes |
| Serving Temperature | Warm or Room Temperature |
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What You'll Learn
Honey
There are several ways to serve this combination, each one a simple yet impressive treat. One popular method is to stuff fresh figs with soft goat cheese, then drizzle them with honey. This can be served as a spectacular appetiser or a light dessert. For an extra special touch, use lavender-infused or pepper-infused honey to add a unique flavour dimension.
If you're serving this dish as an appetiser, you can also add some crunch by rolling the goat cheese-stuffed figs in chopped pistachios, walnuts, or hazelnuts before drizzling with honey. This combination of sweet and savoury flavours and interesting textures is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
For a more substantial appetiser, spread goat cheese onto a clean board or plate, then drizzle with fig jam or spread. Sprinkle with black pepper and finish with pistachios for crunch. Finally, drizzle honey over the entire board for a delicious sweet and savoury treat. Serve this with a basket of baguette slices, and your guests can scoop the cheese, fig, and honey mixture onto their bread.
Whether you're looking for a simple dessert or a show-stopping appetiser, the combination of goat cheese, figs, and honey is a perfect choice. With its balance of sweet and tangy flavours and varied textures, it's sure to impress and satisfy your guests.
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Balsamic vinegar
Baked Goat Cheese with Balsamic Glazed Figs
For this recipe, you'll need fresh or dried figs, balsamic vinegar, honey, orange juice, rosemary, chilli flakes, and goat cheese. Start by plumping up the dried figs in a mixture of balsamic vinegar, honey, and orange juice. You can also add rosemary and chilli flakes to the goat cheese for extra flavour. Once the figs are ready, spoon them onto the warm goat cheese and drizzle with honey. Serve this warm, creamy dip with crackers or toasted baguette slices.
Roasted Figs and Goat Cheese with Rosemary Honey Balsamic Dressing
Preheat your oven to 450 degrees. In a small bowl, whisk together chopped rosemary, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, and salt to taste. Arrange your figs cut-side up in a baking dish and crumble goat cheese on top. Drizzle the dressing over the figs and roast them in the oven for about 15 minutes or until they reach your desired tenderness. This dish can be served on crostini for a tasty appetizer.
Stuffed Figs with Goat Cheese, Bacon, and Balsamic Vinegar
This recipe combines the sweetness of figs with the savoury flavours of goat cheese and bacon. Start by creating a pocket in each fig and stuffing it with goat cheese. Wrap each stuffed fig with a half slice of bacon and place them on a foil-lined baking sheet. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and broil for about 8 minutes. You can also sprinkle the finished figs with chopped parsley and serve them with toothpicks for easy eating.
Warm Figs with Goat Cheese, Pistachios, and Balsamic Glaze
For a simple yet elegant dish, try warming fresh figs stuffed with goat cheese and pistachios, drizzled with a balsamic glaze. To make the balsamic glaze, simmer balsamic vinegar over medium heat until it thickens. You can also slice the figs in half and serve them on a salad for a burst of sweetness and texture. This dish can be served as a sophisticated appetizer or a unique savory dessert.
Baked Figs with Goat Cheese, Prosciutto, and Balsamic Glaze
This recipe combines sweet and savoury flavours for a delectable appetizer. Start by slicing each fig almost all the way through and stuffing it with a mixture of goat cheese, olive oil, salt, pepper, and fresh basil. Wrap each fig with a half slice of prosciutto and place them on a parchment-lined baking tray. Bake at 450°F for about 5 minutes or until the cheese melts and the prosciutto becomes crispy. Drizzle with balsamic glaze or pure balsamic vinegar, depending on your preference for sweetness or vinegary flavour.
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Thyme
Add a sprig of thyme as a garnish to your goat cheese and fig dish. You can use it to garnish a whipped goat cheese with fig bites appetizer, or a goat cheese and fig jam appetizer. The sprig adds a touch of color and elegance to the dish, and your guests can remove it before eating if they prefer.
Fresh Thyme Leaves
Separate the leaves from the sprigs and sprinkle them on top of your goat cheese and fig dish. You can bake the figs with goat cheese and thyme leaves on top, or add the leaves to a goat cheese and fig jam appetizer. The leaves add a more subtle thyme flavor to the dish compared to the sprigs.
Chopped Thyme
If you want an even more subtle thyme flavor, you can finely chop the thyme leaves and mix them into the goat cheese before spreading it on a plate or in a bowl. You can also add a pinch of salt and some honey to make a whipped goat cheese with honey and thyme, which goes well with figs.
If you don't have fresh thyme on hand, you can use dried thyme instead. Use 1/4 teaspoon of dried thyme for every sprig of fresh thyme, or adjust to taste.
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Pecans
One way to make this dish is to cut the figs in half lengthways and lay them on a tray. Cut or crumble the goat's cheese into small pieces and place a piece on top of each fig half. Then, roughly chop the pecans and sprinkle them over the figs and cheese. You can also add some chopped chives and a drizzle of honey or balsamic glaze for extra flavour. This dish is a great appetizer or pre-dinner snack, and it looks beautiful, too.
Another option is to make pecan-crusted goat's cheese medallions. To do this, pulse the pecans in a food processor until they form coarse pieces. Mould the goat's cheese into medallions and coat them with the crushed pecans. These can be served with apple slices and fig mostarda, a type of Italian fruit preserve.
If you want to include the figs in this second recipe, you could try spreading the goat's cheese on a plate and drizzling it with olive oil. Then, warm some fig jam, honey, and balsamic vinegar in a pan and drizzle this over the cheese. Finally, sprinkle over the pecan pieces and some fresh thyme leaves, and add a pinch of sea salt. This dish can be served with crackers or crostini.
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Chives
One recipe suggests cutting the figs lengthwise and placing them on a large tray or plate. The goat cheese is then cut into small pieces or crumbled, and the chives are finely chopped. Each fig is then topped with a piece of goat cheese and a few chives. This recipe also includes chopped pecans as a topping, and it can be made up to eight hours before serving.
Another recipe suggests making a goat cheese log with chives by rolling a fresh goat cheese log in finely chopped chives until it is fully covered. This can be served with crackers, crostini, apple slices, or celery sticks.
The use of chives in these recipes adds a fresh flavour and enhances the overall taste of the dish. Chives also provide a visually appealing touch, making these appetizers perfect for holiday gatherings or dinner parties.
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Frequently asked questions
Cut the figs in half and place them on a tray or plate.
You can use either a creamy goat cheese or a goat cheese that crumbles easily.
You can put a drizzle of honey, balsamic glaze, balsamic vinegar, or vinegar on top of the goat cheese and figs. You can also add chopped pecans, walnuts, or chives.
You can keep the goat cheese drizzled with fig jam in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Make sure to store the figs so that they are pushing up against each other and won't roll over.
