Fresh Figs
Figs. Where to begin? So much more than the cookie. I loves me some Newtons. It is the combination of the dry outer layer and the chewy inner filling…I don’t know. It reminds me of staying home sick, or deep dark winters. It is a healthier sounding cookie, even though in truth, it is a cookie indeed.
But what if we stepped outside the Newton and tried something new with figs? This is their season. Fresh figs are beautiful in color, as well as texture. They are light and sweet, and a fruit like no other. What if we took the fig out of the cookie and did something new? Let’s mix it up.
I’m talking about sweet and tangy, cheesey and melty and crispy with bacon. Essentially the fig is the perfect carrier for savory or sweet. So this post and the next are two really easy things to do with figs. Wow your family and table or just yourself, because, hey, you are worth it. I made both recipes on the same night and essentially had a fig fest. I know. But, at least it wasn’t me and a box of Newtons watching reruns on the DVR. Not that anything (ahem) is wrong with that.
For this appetizer, you want to cut the figs criss-cross from the top until almost the bottom, keeping a tear drop shape but making room for the deliciousness that is the blue cheese middle.
This filling is simple, blue cheese crumbles, salt, pepper, hot sauce, a little heavy cream to combine, and then gently spoon into the fig. You want to keep the shape of the fig as much as possible, and the bacon wrapping not only adds to the flavor, it also helps to keep the fig’s shape.
Blue Cheese Stuffed Figs
You can make this batch as small or as large as you need. It is a beautiful and simple appetizer for the holidays or a dinner party, or even with a glass of wine on the back porch after a long week. I’m not a big drinker, but even I have those nights where appetizers for supper seem like a grand idea.
Wrap the fig in a slice of bacon and place on a Silpat or parchment lined baking sheet. Bake. Wait, what? We’re done?
Bacon Wrapped Blue Cheese Stuffed Figs
Yes.
That’s the recipe right there. Bake these beauties in the oven at 350* until the cheese is melty and the bacon crisps up. This was about 15-20 minutes in my oven. You could broil these but I am always nervous with the broiler. I use it, I am just very respectful of it. You will need to gauge it the first time you make this so you don’t have fig volcanos with blue cheese lava.
Once the figs have come out of the oven, I let them rest for a few minutes to set up. Scalding hot bacon and melted cheese is never a wise choice right out of the oven, but after a few minutes, you are good to go.
This is a simple recipe that can be super indulgent. And far far away from the Newton.
I hope you enjoy this recipe, and as always, thank you for coming to the table!
Chrissy
For a printable recipe, click below!
PrintBlue Cheese Bacon Wrapped Figs Appetizer
This quick and easy appetizer that combines fresh figs with blue cheese and bacon!
Ingredients
- Fresh Figs
For each fig you will be making, you will need:
- 1 Tablespoon Blue Cheese Crumbles
- Salt, Pepper to taste
- 1 Dash of Hot Sauce (of Choice)
- 1 Slice of Bacon
- 1 Teaspoon Heavy Cream
- garlic powder or minced garlic if you -want not necessary
Instructions
- Remove stems from figs and slice cross-wise top down making a almost quartered but still in tact tear drop shape. (leave the bottom part together and cut open the top)
- In a bowl, mix blue cheese, hot sauce, salt, pepper, and heavy cream to create a soft and combined pasty consistency. Don’t over-mix. It should still have body and resemble blue cheese crumbles but hold together.
- Fill each fig with filling.
- Wrap each fig with one bacon slice.
- Bake in a 350* oven for 20 minutes. Or until bacon is crisp and cheese is melted.
- Let sit after baking for a few minutes before serving.