Cheese And Fig Pairing: The Perfect Match

Figs and cheese are a match made in heaven, and with so many varieties of each, the pairing possibilities are endless. Whether you're enjoying them as a snack, an appetizer, or a dessert, the combination of sweet, sticky figs and salty, creamy cheese is a delight. Fresh figs are a delicacy with a short shelf life, but dried figs are available all year round and make a great addition to baked goods and holiday dishes. When it comes to cheese, you can't go wrong with a classic like Brie, or branch out and try something like blue cheese or goat cheese. So, get creative and experiment with different types of figs and cheeses to find your favorite pairing.

Fresh figs and blue cheese

The combination of sweet, sticky, and squishy fresh figs with blue cheese is a match made in heaven. The deeply sweet figs and pungent blue cheese attract each other like two puzzle pieces. The slight acidity of fresh figs is enough to cut through the creamier blue cheeses.

When preparing this dish, it is important to use ripe, soft, and slightly warm figs to balance the strong flavour of the blue cheese. To enhance the flavour, you can add a drizzle of honey or balsamic vinegar, or both, to make a sticky, sweet, and savoury dish.

For a warm appetizer, cut a slit into the side of each fig and stuff it with blue cheese. Place a toothpick through the lower half of the fig to hold it together while cooking. Heat a large frying pan to medium-high heat, brush the figs with a neutral-tasting oil, and cook them in the pan, turning as needed, until lightly browned on all sides. This will give the cheese a nice, slightly melted texture.

If you prefer a cold appetizer, simply stuff the figs with blue cheese and serve. This dish can be prepared several hours in advance and refrigerated, but it is best served at room temperature, so remember to take it out of the fridge 30 minutes before serving.

To make this dish even more indulgent, try wrapping the stuffed figs with bacon or prosciutto and grilling them until the cheese melts. This combination of sweet and savoury flavours will be sure to impress your family and friends.

Figs and cheese as a dessert

Figs and cheese are a delightful combination, offering a range of flavourful experiences. This unique duo can be served as a dessert, a starter, or even as part of a cheese platter.

When preparing a dessert with figs and cheese, there are endless possibilities. Fresh figs, with their subtle acidity, pair beautifully with creamy cheeses like Brie. For a simple yet stunning dessert, place fresh figs under the grill and top with goat cheese and honey. Another option is to layer fig preserves, blue cheese, and a thin slice of green apple on a crisp cracker for a sweet and savoury bite.

If you're feeling adventurous, try stuffing a dried fig with Gorgonzola, topping it with a walnut, and drizzling it with aged balsamic vinegar. This combination of salty and sweet flavours is sure to impress. For a more substantial dessert, figs with ricotta and a drizzle of local honey are a perfect match. Or, for something truly indulgent, fill a fig with goat cheese, wrap it in bacon or pancetta, and grill it. The options are limited only by your imagination.

When serving figs and cheese, it is essential to allow the cheeses to come to room temperature to fully develop their flavours—about one to three hours for all cheeses except fresh cheeses. Always start with the mildest or sweetest cheese and progress to the strongest-flavoured variety.

Whether you choose fresh or dried figs, their unique texture and flavour will enhance the creaminess of cheeses like Brie or Camembert, the sharpness of blue cheese, or the firmness of cheddar. So, get creative and enjoy the delightful combination of figs and cheese as a dessert or any other course!

Baked goods with figs and cheese

Baked Figs with Goat Cheese

This classic combination never fails to impress. Simply cut off the stems of ripe figs and make a small X cut on the top. Stuff the figs generously with soft goat cheese and sprinkle them with chopped walnuts and sage. Drizzle with honey and add a pinch of salt and pepper to taste. Pop them in a hot oven for about 5 minutes, and you'll have a delicious appetizer or dessert that's hard to resist.

Fig and Cheese Tarts

Explore the endless possibilities of tarts with figs and cheese. Try a frangipane, fig, and orange tart for a Christmas treat, or opt for a honey-roasted fig and almond tart for a sweet and fruity dessert. For a savory option, a fig and blue cheese tart with crumbly walnut pastry is a vegetarian main course that will satisfy any cheese lover.

Fig, Cheese, and Bread Creations

Figs and cheese pair beautifully with bread to create satisfying appetizers or picnic treats. Try a fig and Serrano ham picnic bread, smeared with soft goat cheese and topped with rocket leaves. Alternatively, bake some fig and gorgonzola toasts, combining the sweetness of figs with the tanginess of blue cheese on crispy baguette rounds. For a more indulgent option, stuff figs with dolcelatte, wrap them in prosciutto, and drizzle with honey.

Fig Cakes and Desserts

When it comes to baked goods, figs add a unique twist to cakes and desserts. Indulge in a spiced fig, coffee, and hazelnut cake, or keep it simple with a fig and raspberry crumble cake. For a show-stopping dessert, try a fig and ginger caramel trifle, or go for a classic fig and honey Christmas cake. If you're feeling adventurous, experiment with a fig and cheese cake, such as a fig, ricotta, and sesame bagel or a fig, mascarpone, and pine nut creation.

Creative Combinations

Think outside the box with unique pairings like figs, gorgonzola, and walnut-stuffed dried figs drizzled with aged balsamic or fig preserves, blue cheese, and apple slices on crackers. For a savory treat, try baking figs with halloumi and almonds for a salad or canapé, or go for a Mediterranean fig and mozzarella salad, adding prosciutto or Serrano ham for a heartier option.

Goat cheese and fig leaves

Goat cheese and fig is a classic pairing that can be enjoyed throughout the year. The slight acidity of fresh figs goes well with creamy cheeses like goat cheese. Goat cheese stuffed inside figs is a popular appetiser, and grilling or baking the stuffed figs can add a nice touch.

Fig leaves can also be used in cooking. In recent years, it has become popular to wrap salmon or goat cheese in fig leaves and bake it. The leaves impart hints of coconut and vanilla. Goat cheese can be wrapped in fig leaves and aged to give it similar flavour notes.

Ingredients:

• 12 fresh figs
• 2 ounces of soft, fresh goat cheese
• 1 tablespoon of good balsamic vinegar

Instructions:

• Wash and drain the figs.
• Use your fingers to roll the goat cheese into 12 small balls, each about 1/2 teaspoon in size.
• Cut the figs in half and press a cheese ball into the centre of each fig.
• Plate the stuffed figs and drizzle with vinegar.
• Serve within an hour.

This recipe can be modified by grilling the figs or adding toppings such as honey, nuts, or herbs.

Wine pairings with figs and cheese

Wine and cheese are a classic pairing, and adding figs into the mix can create a delightful combination of flavours, textures, and aromas. Here are some tips for wine pairings with figs and cheese:

Wine Pairings with Fresh Figs and Cheese

Fresh figs are a delicacy with a brief shelf life, making them a special treat. Their slight acidity can cut through creamier cheeses like Brie, Camembert, and blue cheese. When pairing fresh figs with cheese, consider adding something crunchy like a slice of baguette or slivered almonds. For a simple yet stunning dessert, try broiling fresh figs with goat cheese and a drizzle of honey.

When it comes to wine, fresh figs and cheese pair well with white wines, as they lack tannins and make better companions for cheese and fruit. A good rule of thumb is to match intensely-flavoured cheeses with bold, intensely-flavoured wines. For example:

• Brie goes well with Chardonnay.
• Blue cheese pairs nicely with Zinfandel.
• Fresh goat cheese can be paired with a crisp and refreshing Sauvignon Blanc.
• For a soft and creamy cheese like Brie or Camembert, a buttery Chardonnay will enhance their flavour.
• If you're feeling adventurous, try a glass of Gewurztraminer with your fresh goat cheese. This white wine is known for its floral and spicy notes, which will add an interesting dimension to the pairing.

Wine Pairings with Dried Figs and Cheese

Dried figs are versatile and can be incorporated into traditional baked goods, holiday dishes, or served as part of a cheese platter. Their sweet and salty combination makes them a perfect match for salty cheeses like Manchego or Parmigiano Reggiano. Stuffing a dried fig with Gorgonzola, topping it with a walnut, and drizzling it with aged balsamic creates a delicious bite.

When pairing wine with dried figs and cheese, consider the following:

• Dried figs tend to have a more intense flavour, so a bold, full-bodied wine like Zinfandel or Cabernet Sauvignon would be a good match.
• If you're serving a cheese platter with dried figs, offer a variety of wines to complement the different cheeses. For example, a semi-hard Italian cheese like Provolone pairs well with Chianti or Pinot Grigio.
• For a sweet and creamy cheese like Mascarpone, a glass of dessert wine or a semi-sweet Riesling can balance out the saltiness.
• If you're looking for a red wine pairing, a Cotes du Rhone from the Rhone Valley in France pairs beautifully with Camembert. Its smooth and fruity flavours will complement the cheese's earthy and nutty notes.

Frequently asked questions