Roasted Figs And Feta Spread Toasts Recipes

BAKED FETA AND FIGS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375°F (191°C) with a rack in the center position.
• Combine the figs in a 9-by-13-inch (23-by-33-cm) baking dish with 1 tablespoon olive oil, the salt, and pepper and toss to coat. If your block of feta is packed in brine, drain it and pat it dry. Nudge the figs toward the edges of the baking dish, and place the block of feta in the center.
• Drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil and the honey over the cheese and then sprinkle the tarragon over everything.
• Bake until the figs have released some of their juices and the feta is knife-tender, 15 to 20 minutes. The feta should be relaxed and gloriously melted around the edges. If using any of the substitutes for figs, you may need to add about 5 more minutes to the baking time-you want the fruit to be softened but not shriveled.
• Serve the baked feta and figs warm, with plenty of crackers or warm pita alongside. To balance out the sweetness, feel free to add a drizzle of balsamic vinegar (or a nice glass of Malbec, for that matter).

ROASTED TOMATOES AND WHIPPED FETA ON TOAST

Steps:

• Press the feta for an hour: Take a stack of plates, wrap the feta in a dish towel, put it on the bottom plate, and put the rest of the stack on top of it.
• Purée the pressed feta in a food processor until smooth. Combine the feta and heavy cream in a bowl and mix it by hand until it's smooth and creamy. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• Slice your loaf of bread into 1/2-inch-thick pieces. Toast your pieces in the oven or toaster just until heated; you want it crispy and warm, but no color.
• In a large bowl, place grapefruit juice, tomato oil, garlic, arugula and herbs; toss to combine. Add more oil and grapefruit juice if desired.
• Spread the whipped feta on the toast, then put down a layer of greens. Top with a layer of tomatoes. Season to taste with salt and pepper, sprinkle the grapefruit zest on top, and serve.

ROASTED FETA WITH HONEY

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Select a small oven-to-table earthenware dish or a small ovenproof sauté pan lined with aluminum foil to help transfer the cheese to a plate after roasting. Place the feta in the dish and cover with the olive oil. Bake until the cheese is soft and springy to the touch but not melted, about 8 minutes.
• Preheat the broiler. Heat the honey in the microwave or over a pan of simmering water until it is fluid enough to be spread with a pastry brush and then paint the surface of the feta with it. Broil until the top of the cheese browns and just starts to bubble. Season to taste with black pepper. Serve immediately with pita wedges and, if desired, sliced heirloom tomatoes, roasted beets, nuts or pickled vegetables.

ROASTED FIGS AND FETA SPREAD TOASTS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400°F.
• Wash the figs and remove the tough stem. Cut them in half and place in a small baking dish.
• Toss the figs with the balsamic vinegar (or orange liqueur), the thyme and the lemon zest. Turn the figs so they are all cut-side-down on the baking dish. They should fit in a single layer.
• Roast the figs for about 20 minutes and remove them from the oven. They should still have some juices at this point. Let them cool.
• While the figs are roasting, prepare the Feta spread: place the Feta, Greek yogurt, vinegar, salt and pepper in a small food processor and process until fairly smooth.
• Add the extra virgin olive oil in a slow, steady stream while continuing to pulse (you may need more or less olive oil, depending on the consistency you desire). Taste and adjust the seasoning. Refrigerate or use right away.
• Assemble the toasts by slathering a layer of the Feta spread over the toasted bread, top with two or three fig halves (depending on the size of the toast), drizzle with the pan juices and some extra honey (to taste), and sprinkle with fresh thyme, lemon zest, and some sesame seeds (optional).

ROASTED FIGS AND PROSCIUTTO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Snip the hard stems off the figs and cut the figs in half lengthwise through the stem. With a small sharp knife, cut the prosciutto lengthwise into inch-wide strips. Wrap a strip of prosciutto around the center of each fig half, with the ends overlapping. Brush with olive oil and arrange cut-side up on a sheet pan.
• Roast the figs for 10 minutes, until the prosciutto is a little crisp and the figs are warmed through. Serve warm.