Crispy Fig And Gorgonzola Ravioli Food

GORGONZOLA FIG BITES WITH TOASTED ALMONDS

Steps:

• Preheat oven broiler. Trim stems from figs and remove a small slice from the bottom so they will stand upright. Make a half-inch cut in the top of each fig and then another perpendicular to the first cut so that there is a cross-shaped opening in the top of each fig.
• Place figs on a baking sheet and stuff some of the cheese into the top of each. Drizzle figs lightly with olive oil and grind some black pepper on top. Place in the oven and broil until the cheese bubbles, about two minutes. Remove and top each fig with almonds. Drizzle with honey if using and serve immediately.

ROASTED STUFFED FIG WITH GORGONZOLA

Steps:

• Freeze the grape slices until frozen, about 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Put the Gorgonzola and mascarpone in a bowl and mix with an electric hand mixer until combined. Fill a disposable pastry bag with the cheese mixture and snip the tip about 1/2 inch from the end.
• Remove the top third from each fig and place upright on a small baking sheet. Add the walnuts and roast until the figs are soft and beginning to caramelize and the walnuts are toasty, about 10 minutes.
• Heat a saute pan over medium heat and add a splash of olive oil. Add the prosciutto and saute until crispy, about 5 minutes. Add a splash of red wine vinegar and remove from the heat.
• Finely chop the walnuts. Pipe a heaping amount of the cheese mixture into each fig. Roll the tops in chopped walnuts. Top with crispy prosciutto pieces. Stick a frozen grape slice in each.

FIG AND GORGONZOLA SAVOURIES (THUMBPRINTS)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Place the flour, butter, Gorgonzola, and a few grinds of black pepper in the bowl of a food processor. Process until the dough just comes together and starts to form a ball.
• Dump the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead a few times to pull the dough together.
• Shape dough into logs, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for an hour in the freezer.
• Slice logs into 1/8 inch thick slices, and place onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
• Using the back or a round half-teaspoon measure, or your knuckle, make an indentation in the top of each dough round. Spoon about 1/4 teaspoon fig preserves into each indentation, using your finger to push the preserves as best as possible into the indentations.
• Bake the savories for 10 - 14 minutes, until the preserves are bubbling and the pastry is light golden on the bottom.
• Let cool on the baking sheet for at least 10 minutes, the remove to a wire rack to cool.
• You'll find fig preserves at the grocery - it may be shelved with the "fancy" jams and jellies. You can make these a day ahead and keep them in two layers separated by waxed paper in an airtight container.

PEAR AND GORGONZOLA RAVIOLI WITH WALNUTS AND ROSEMARY BUTTER

Steps:

• Filling -- In a medium non stick sauce pan on medium heat add the pears, dried and fresh, shallots and cook until the pears start to break down. The pears should give enough moisture so no oil or butter is needed. Cook until they are soft but not "mush." You still want a little texture to it. Remove and let cool.
• Add the cooled pear mix to the gorgonzola, ricotta and pepper and mix well. I like to chill this before I use this as a filling.
• Make the ravioli -- take a wonton wrapper and wet the edges just using water and your finger and then add a teaspoon of the filling to the wonton and press corner to corner to make a triangle. Press well to make sure the edges are sealed and get all the air out around the center around the filling. Once done, move to a cookie sheet lined with parchment or wax paper until you finish making the rest of the raviolis.
• In a large pot of boiling water it is time to cook the ravioli. I like to cook this on a medium boil. NOT on high. To high of heat will just cause the raviolis to bread up. Add the raviolis 6 or 7 at a time, don't over crowd the pot and boil 1-2 minutes until they float to the surface. Once they float -- they are done. Remove and set on a cookie sheet until cooled.
• Now you can pan saute and serve them now or you store them in a ziplock for a day or so until ready.
• Saute -- In a medium non stick pan add 1 teaspoon of the butter and heat to medium. Add the ravioli and lightly pan sear. You just want to lightly brown and slightly crisp up, just a minute or so per side is all they need, and to heat up. Remove the ravioli to a serving bowl and cover.
• Sauce -- Add the wine to the pan and then the remaining butter, rosemary and walnuts, a little salt and pepper to taste. Cook another minute and pour over the ravioli.
• Enjoy them! They are a treat.