Blue Cheese Bacon Wrapped Figs Appetizer Food

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

Steps:

• Rinse the figs clean and pat them dry. Trim off any excess stem from them and set them aside.*
• Cut each piece of bacon in half lengthwise so you have long, skinny strips of bacon to work with. If you want to use less bacon per fig, cut them in half crosswise as well.
• Wrap each fig with a strip of bacon. The bacon should wrap around several times; have it overlap as little as possible. This method will help the bacon stay on without the help of toothpicks. If you want to use shorter bacon strips, you may need to use a toothpick to secure the bacon in place; once the bacon is cooked, it should hold in place on its own so you can remove the toothpicks as it cooks or before serving.
• You can now cook them one of two ways, on the stove or under a broiler:​ ​​ On the Stove : Heat a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Set the bacon-wrapped figs in the pan and cook, turning as each side browns and crisps up, until all sides of the bacon are done to your liking. Remove the figs, setting them on several layers of paper towels to blot off any excess fat before serving them piping hot.​​ Under a Broiler : Heat a broiler. Set the figs on a baking sheet. Turn the figs as needed to brown and crisp the bacon on all sides. As above, transfer the figs to several layers of paper towels to blot off any excess fat before serving them piping hot. *If you want to gild the lily, cut a vertical slit in the sides of the figs before wrapping them and insert a peeled almond or a nub of blue cheese or a bit of goat cheese in the center, then proceed with Step #3.

BACON WRAPPED DATES STUFFED WITH BLUE CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Slice dates in half, and open them up. Pinch off pieces of blue cheese, and place them into the center of the dates. Close the halves of the dates, and wrap a half-slice of bacon around the outside. Secure each one with a toothpick. Arrange in a baking dish or on a baking sheet with sides to catch any grease.
• Bake for 30 to 40 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the bacon is crisp. Turn dates over after the first 20 minutes for even cooking.

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.

PROSCIUTTO WRAPPED FIGS AND BLUE CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat grill. You will need medium to high heat for grilling. The key is to crisp the prosciutto quickly and leave the blue cheese just melted with the inner part of the fig cool in temperature.
• Cut the figs in half and place a piece of blue cheese on each fig half. Wrap the prosciutto around each fig half, covering the cheese. The ends of the prosciutto should overlap.
• Grill each piece until the prosciutto begins to color and crisp, about 2 minutes on each side. Remove from grill, lightly drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and season with sea salt and pepper. Serve warm.

BACON-WRAPPED FIGS WITH BLUE CHEESE AND BOURBON RECIPE

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.

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.