Figswithgoatcheeseandportsyrup Recipes

FRESH FETTUCCINE WITH FIGS, PROSCIUTTO AND GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Place an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a heavy baking sheet with vegetable oil cooking spray.
• Arrange the prosciutto in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for about 10 minutes until crispy. Drain on paper towels. When cool enough to handle, crumble the prosciutto into 1/2-inch pieces.
• Cut the pasta dough in quarters and press flat. Run each piece of pasta dough several times through a pasta-rolling machine, adjusting the setting each time until the pasta is about 1/16-inch thick. Add the fettuccine attachment and run the pasta sheets through. Dust the fettuccine lightly with flour to avoid sticking.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the olive oil and pasta. Cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, 4 to 5 minutes. Place the pasta in a large serving bowl.
• For the sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine the figs, broth, orange juice, thyme, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the goat cheese, mascarpone cheese and lemon zest until the sauce is creamy.
• Pour the sauce over the cooked pasta and toss until all the ingredients are coated. Top with the crumbled prosciutto and serve.
• Place the cake flour, all-purpose flour, egg yolks and salt in a food processor. Pulse to combine. With the machine running, gradually add the oil then 1/3 to 1/2 cup water until the mixture forms a dough (the dough should stick together if pinched between your fingers). If necessary, add additional water, 1 teaspoon at a time if the dough is too dry.
• Place the dough on a lightly floured surface. Gather the dough into a ball and knead until the dough is smooth, 5 to 8 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Cut the dough into quarters and press flat. Run each piece of pasta dough several times through a pasta-rolling machine, adjusting the setting each time, until the pasta is about 1/8 to 1/16-inch thick. Cut the pasta into the desired shape and use as needed.

FIGS-IN-A-BLANKET WITH GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Arrange racks in upper and lower thirds of oven; preheat to 400°F. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Stir vinegar, honey, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, and 1 cup water in a medium pot. Add figs and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, bring to a simmer, and cook, stirring occasionally, until figs are softened and liquid has almost evaporated and is a syrupy consistency, 7-10 minutes. Transfer figs to a plate; let cool.
• Beat egg with 1 Tbsp. water in a small bowl. If using a 14-ounce package with 1 sheet of pastry, roll pastry to an 18x12" rectangle on a lightly floured surface. If using a 17-ounce package with 2 sheets of pastry, roll each sheet to a 12x9" rectangle. Cut pastry along the 12" side into 12 (1-inch-wide) strips. Cut each strip crosswise into pieces about 4 1/2" long. You should have 48 (4 1/2x1") strips pastry.
• Scoop a heaping 1/2 tsp. cheese and press into cut side of 1 fig half. Place fig half in the center of 1 pastry strip. Brush 1 end of pastry with egg wash and roll to enclose. Transfer seam side down to prepared sheet. Repeat with remaining cheese, figs, and pastry. Brush top of each pastry with egg wash and sprinkle with seeds, if using. Bake pastries, rotating and switching sheets top to bottom halfway through, until golden brown and puffed, 15-18 minutes.
• Do Ahead
• Figs can be cooked 2 days ahead; cover and chill.

BAKED FIGS AND GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees. Cut goat cheese into 6 thick slices. Line an 8-by 12-inch earthenware baking dish with fig leaves (if using). Arrange goat cheese in center of dish and surround with fig halves. Season lightly with salt and pepper, then sprinkle with thyme. Drizzle with olive oil.
• Bake uncovered for 15 minutes, until both cheese and figs are softened. Run under broiler for 1 minute to brown. Let cool slightly before serving.

FIGS STUFFED WITH GOAT CHEESE

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.

FIGS WITH GOAT CHEESE AND PORT SYRUP

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, over medium-high heat, bring the port and honey up to a boil.
• Reduce heat and simmer slowly until reduced by half.
• Set aside and cool to room temperature, the syrup will thicken upon standing.
• Cut the goat cheese into 8 equal pieces, about 2 teaspoon each and roll each piece into a ball.
• Place the figs upright and carefully make four cross cuts, slicing each fig into eight sections, BEING CAREFUL NOT TO GO ALL THE WAY THROUGH.
• Gently separate the figs outward to form a "flower"
• Place a ball of goat cheese in the center of each fig and drizzle with the port syrup.
• Garnish with walnuts.

ELEGANT FIG APPETIZERS WITH GOAT CHEESE AND ALMONDS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven broiler for high heat.
• Place the fig halves, cut side up, on a baking sheet. Top each half with about 1/2 teaspoon goat cheese. Place one almond on each, press to push the cheese slightly into each fig.
• Broil the figs in the preheated oven until the cheese is soft and the almonds are turning a rich shade of brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the broiler and let cool for 5 minutes. Arrange the figs on a serving platter and drizzle with honey and balsamic vinegar. Serve warm.

PROSCIUTTO WRAPPED FIGS WITH GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
• Cut a small hole in the center of the flesh of each fig. Fill each hole with 1/4 teaspoon of goat cheese.
• Take a prosciutto slice and tear in half. Use 1 half to diagonally wrap around the fig, starting from the top. Tuck underneath at the ends. Repeat until all figs are wrapped. (Secure with toothpicks if necessary.) Place wrapped figs on prepared baking sheet, evenly spaced.
• In a small bowl, combine honey and pumpkin pie spice. Drizzle honey evenly over each fig.
• Place in the oven on the top rack and roast for 8 to 10 minutes. Remove and serve immediately.

GRILLED FIGS WITH GOAT CHEESE AND PROSCIUTTO

Steps:

• Combine goat cheese, rosemary, and a pinch of salt and pepper in a small mixing bowl, and stir.
• Make a small slit in bottom or side of each fig. Fill a pastry bag fitted with a small plain tip with cheese mixture. Pipe cheese into each fig through slit. Fill figs with just enough cheese so they expand slightly.
• Tear or cut the prosciutto slices into long strips. Wrap a strip of prosciutto around each fig, and skewer 4 figs on each rosemary sprig. Brush figs with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.
• Place figs on a moderately hot grill, rotating skewers until figs are very hot and cheese starts to ooze, about 6 minutes. Remove from grill; serve immediately with a drizzle of olive oil and good bread.

PLANKED FIGS WITH PANCETTA AND GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Method:
• 1. Pour the fruit liqueur into a shallow dish. Sprinkle the pepper on a saucer. Dip the cut sides of the figs first into the fruit liqueur, then into the pepper, and place, cut side up, on a baking sheet to marinate for 20 minutes.
• 2. Cut each slice of pancetta lengthwise into 1/2-inch strips. Loosely wrap each fig half with a strip of pancetta. Fry the rest of the pancetta until crisp and crumbly and set aside.
• 3. Prepare a hot fire in your grill.
• 4. Place the planks on the grill grate and close the lid. When the planks start to smoke and pop, after 3 to 5 minutes, open the lid and turn the planks over using grill tongs. Quickly place the fig halves on the planks, cut side up. Sprinkle the goat cheese and fried pancetta on the figs. Cover and plank-roast for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the figs have softened and are scorched around the edges and the goat cheese has a burnished appearance and a brownish-red color. Drizzle with the honey and serve.
• Oven-Planking: Preheat the oven to 450°F. Place the planked pancetta-wrapped figs, sprinkled with goat cheese and fried pancetta, in the middle of the oven. Plank-roast for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the figs are scorched around the edges. Drizzle with honey and serve.