Figs With Herbed Goat Cheese Recipes

Steps:

• Place the orange zest and orange juice in a medium (10-inch) heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, such as Le Creuset. Add the sugar, vanilla bean, and figs to the pot. Cover and bring to a full boil over medium heat. (Don't worry; it may look dry.) Stir the mixture and boil hard for 1 minute, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Lower the heat, and cook uncovered at a full simmer for 50 minutes to 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. You want the little bubbles to be throughout the pot, not just at the edges. After 45 minutes, refrigerate a small amount of the liquid to see if it becomes syrupy. It should be like a soft fruit preserve. Keep cooking just until the liquid starts to gel when cold. If the liquid is too firm, add a little orange juice or water, cook for a minute, and test it again until it's right. Depending on how ripe the figs are, they will probably keep their shape, but it's fine if they don't. Discard the vanilla bean and serve or refrigerate.
• Before serving, toast or grill the bread and spread with goat cheese. Spoon the fig preserves on, then the grated orange zest if using, and serve.

Steps:

• Use your fingers to roll the goat cheese into 24 1/2 teaspoon-sized balls.
• Cut figs in half. Press a cheese ball into the center of each fig. Plate them and drizzle with vinegar. Serve within an hour.

Steps:

• Figs: In a nonreactive medium pot combine the wine, honey, and cinnamon. Bring to a simmer, over low heat, and cook until slightly thickened, about 30 minutes. Add the figs and cook for 10 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly. Remove the cinnamon stick.
• Goat cheese: In a shallow bowl, mix together the walnuts and thyme. With damp hands, roll the goat cheese into 1-inch balls. Roll the balls into the nut mixture until coated.
• To serve: Spoon the figs into 2 glasses and drizzle with the wine syrup. Add the herbed goat cheese and serve.

Steps:

• In a small bowl combine the goat cheese, chives, parsley,, snipped rosemary, salt, and pepper.
• Cut the figs in half. If using apricots, cut in half; remove and discard pits. Top the fig halves with the herbed cheese. Cover and chill up to 1 hour before serving. Top the figs with rosemary sprigs. Enjoy!
• Makes 6 servings.

Steps:

• Arrange the figs on a tray, cut-side up. Slice the goat's cheese into eight rounds, then cut each round in half.
• Gently push the goat's cheese pieces into the cut sides of the figs, then season with a little salt and pepper, drizzle with the honey and scatter with the pistachios and thyme.

Steps:

• Place beets into a saucepan, and fill with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, then cook for 20 to 30 minutes, until tender. Drain and cool, then cut in to cubes.
• While the beets are cooking, place the walnuts in a skillet over medium-low heat. Heat until warm and starting to toast, then stir in the maple syrup. Cook and stir until evenly coated, then remove from the heat and set aside to cool.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the orange juice concentrate, balsamic vinegar and olive oil to make the dressing.
• Place a large helping of baby greens onto each of four salad plates, divide candied walnuts equally and sprinkle over the greens. Place equal amounts of beets over the greens, and top with dabs of goat cheese. Drizzle each plate with some of the dressing.

Steps:

• Strip the leaves from the bottom of the rosemary stems, leaving about 1 1/2 inches of leaves at the tip.
• Place the stems in a bowl and add cold water to cover; soak for at least 30 minutes.
• Skewer fig halves crosswise on each rosemary stem.
• Arrange the skewers on a plate with the cut sides of the figs facing up.
• In a small bowl, mix together honey and lemon juice.
• Brush the honey/lemon mixture over the cut side of the figs.
• Preheat the broiler to high.
• Broil the figs cut side up until they are lightly browned and softened, about 1 to 2 minutes.
• Top with cheese and place back under broiler for 1 minute.
• Serve on the skewers while still hot.