Bacon Wrapped Figs With Blue Cheese And Bourbon Caramel Recipes

BACON-WRAPPED FIGS WITH BLUE CHEESE AND BOURBON CARAMEL

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler and set oven rack in top position. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil.
• In a large skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until most of the fat has rendered but the bacon is still pliable. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess grease. Set aside.
• Using a melon baller or small spoon, scoop out the center of each halved fig. Fill each hollowed fig half with blue cheese.
• Wrap a half-strip of bacon around each filled fig half and secure with toothpicks. Place, cut side up, on the prepared baking sheet.
• In a medium saucepan, cook bourbon over medium heat until reduced by half. Whisk in the butter and brown sugar until butter is melted and brown sugar is dissolved. Continue to cook, whisking occasionally, until sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
• Using a pastry brush, brush bourbon glaze all over the top side of each bacon-wrapped fig. Broil until the bacon has browned, about 4 minutes. Sprinkle lightly with coarse sea salt, if desired, and serve warm.

BACON WRAPPED STUFFED FIGS

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler and set oven rack in top position. Place parchment paper or aluminum foil on a rimmed baking sheet. Set a wire rack over the baking sheet.
• Add the bacon slices to a large skillet set over medium heat. Fry the bacon just until the fat has been released and the bacon is partially cooked. Do not fry crisp, the bacon should be flexible. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and cool.
• Using a small appetizer spoon or the tip of a paring knife, push aside the pulp in the center of each halved fig to create a small hollow area. Drop a few thyme leaves or a thyme sprig into each hollowed fig half and place a piece of blue cheese on top. Press the cheese down slightly into the fig.
• Wrap a strip of bacon around each filled fig half. Secure with toothpicks and trim off the excess bacon. Place on the wire rack of the prepared baking sheet.
• Brush the warm honey over the top of each bacon-wrapped fig. Broil until the bacon gets crisp and brown, about 4 minutes. Sprinkle lightly with coarse sea salt and serve warm or room temperature

BACON-WRAPPED STUFFED FIGS

Steps:

• Position an oven rack in the center of the oven, and preheat the broiler. Slice the figs about 3/4 of the way down the center lengthwise, and open each like a book; set aside.
• Combine the goat cheese, pesto, lemon juice and zest and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a small bowl with a rubber spatula. Fill each fig with about 1 teaspoon of the cheese-pesto mixture.
• Wrap each stuffed fig with a slice of bacon, and secure with a toothpick. Put the figs, seam-side down, on a rimmed baking sheet.
• Broil, turning once, until the bacon is cooked through and crispy, about 4 to 5 minutes per side.

BACON-WRAPPED FIGS STUFFED WITH BLUE CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°; line a baking sheet with foil.
• Lay bacon on the baking sheet and bake for 5-7 minutes, until the bacon has rendered some fat but is still pliable; drain on paper towels.
• Cut each strip of bacon in half and lay it on a cutting board.
• Slit the figs lengthwise, making a small pocket.
• Push about 1 teaspoon of the crumbled cheese into the pocket and close the slit.
• Place the fig on the bacon and roll the bacon around the fig, securing with a toothpick.
• Repeat with the remaining bacon, figs, and cheese.
• Transfer figs to a 9 x 13 inch baking dish, placing them about ½ inch apart.
• Bake in 400° oven for 10 minutes, or until bacon is crisp; remove from baking dish and serve hot or warm.
• **Make Ahead or OAMC: after step 8, Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 1 month.
• Defrost the figs in the refrigerator overnight, if necessary.
• Preheat oven to 400°; let figs come to room temperature for about 20 minutes.
• Bake for 10 minutes, or until bacon is crisp; remove from baking dish and serve hot or warm.

CANDIED BACON-WRAPPED FIGS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°. Cut bacon strips in half crosswise. In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until partially cooked but not crisp. Remove to paper towels to drain., Cut a lengthwise slit down the center of each fig; fill with 1/2 teaspoon cream cheese. In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, chile blend powder and cinnamon. Dip one side of each bacon piece in brown sugar mixture; wrap each fig with a bacon piece, sugar side out. Secure with a toothpick., Transfer to a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake 12-15 minutes or until bacon is crisp.