A Couple of Fig Appetizers

Both of these recipes were on the "to try" list for our Christmas dinner, but we ran out of time and every before making the second one. Maybe next year. However, the first one was quite festive and delicious, a very successful experiment.

Bacon Wrapped Figs

• 24 dried figs
• 8 strips of bacon, cut into thirds
• 3 oz. goat cheese
• 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
• 1 teaspoon fresh sage, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Fill a medium sauce pan with water. Bring to a boil. Add dry figs to saucepan. Remove from heat and let figs sit for 5-10 minutes. Until they are plump. Remove figs from water and place on a paper towel lined plate. Pat dry.

In a small bowl, add goat cheese, rosemary, thyme, sage and garlic powder. Using a fork mix everything together. 

Snip the stems of the figs and cut a slit in the figs (enough to stuff it with cheese) about a 1/2″. Stuff each fig with the goat cheese mixture then wrap with pre-sliced bacon and secure with a toothpick in them. Place wrapped figs on parchment paper lined baking sheet seam side down. Repeat process until on figs are stuffed and wrapped. Bake at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until bacon is crispy.

Salted Caramel and Dark Chocolate Figs

• 12 large toothpicks
• 12 dried figs
• 4 ounces fresh goat cheese
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 package (11 ounces) Kraft caramel bits
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1/3 cup finely chopped almonds
• 1-1/2 cups dark chocolate chips, melted
• Coarse sea salt

Line a baking sheet with waxed paper and grease the paper; set aside.

Insert a toothpick into each fig. Make a 1/2-in. cut on the side of each fig. Combine the cheese, honey and vinegar in a small bowl. Transfer to a heavy-duty resealable plastic bag; cut a small hole in a corner of bag. Pipe cheese mixture into figs.

Melt caramels and water in a microwave; stir until smooth. Dip each fig into caramel; turn to coat. Place on prepared pan; let stand until set.

Place almonds in a small shallow bowl. Dip bottom third of each fig into melted chocolate; allow excess to drip off. Dip into almonds and sprinkle with salt. Return to pan; let stand until set.

Okay, we made these, but we won't be making them again, mainly because the caramel didn't stick. Maybe it's just that I don't have much success with anything caramel dipped!