Fig And Blue Cheese Bruschetta Food

FIG AND GOAT CHEESE BRUSCHETTAS

Steps:

• Place the orange zest and orange juice in a medium (10-inch) heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, such as Le Creuset. Add the sugar, vanilla bean, and figs to the pot. Cover and bring to a full boil over medium heat. (Don't worry; it may look dry.) Stir the mixture and boil hard for 1 minute, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Lower the heat, and cook uncovered at a full simmer for 50 minutes to 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. You want the little bubbles to be throughout the pot, not just at the edges. After 45 minutes, refrigerate a small amount of the liquid to see if it becomes syrupy. It should be like a soft fruit preserve. Keep cooking just until the liquid starts to gel when cold. If the liquid is too firm, add a little orange juice or water, cook for a minute, and test it again until it's right. Depending on how ripe the figs are, they will probably keep their shape, but it's fine if they don't. Discard the vanilla bean and serve or refrigerate.
• Before serving, toast or grill the bread and spread with goat cheese. Spoon the fig preserves on, then the grated orange zest if using, and serve.

FIG AND ONION BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• For figs:
• Place figs in small bowl. Pour 1 cup boiling water over; let soak 45 minutes. Drain figs; place in small saucepan. Add wine and next 3 ingredients; bring to boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Reduce heat to medium. Simmer until figs are tender and liquid is syrupy, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes. Add vinegar; cook 1 minute longer. Remove pan from heat; cool.
• For onion:
• Melt butter with oil in medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion; sauté until beginning to soften and brown, stirring occasionally, about 4 minutes. Reduce heat to low; add vinegar and sugar, then sprinkle with coarse salt and pepper. Stir until vinegar has almost evaporated, about 1 minute. Cool. DO AHEAD: Figs and onion mixture can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.
• For ricotta:
• Whisk ricotta, 1 tablespoon oil, and cream in medium bowl until fluffy. Season with coarse salt and pepper. Preheat broiler. Drizzle ciabatta with some olive oil and sprinkle with coarse salt and pepper. Broil bread on both sides until toasted. Transfer to serving plate. Spread 2 tablespoons ricotta mixture on each bread slice. Spoon glazed figs with some of syrup over; top with onion mixture. Sprinkle with Parmesan and oregano. Drizzle with oil and serve immediately.

FIG AND BLUE CHEESE BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• Broil baguette slices in oven on baking sheet 3 inches from heat for 1-2 minutes or until lightly toasted.
• Turn oven to 350.
• Stir together cream cheese and blue cheese in a small bowl until well blended. Spread 1/2 teaspoon of cheese mixture onto baguette slices and top with 1/2 teaspoon fig preserves.
• Bake at 350 on middle rack for 8-10 minutes, or until throughly heated.

PROSCIUTTO & FIG BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler. Brush the bread slices on both sides with olive oil and season them with salt and pepper.
• Lay the bread slices on a baking sheet and place it as close to the heat source as possible. Broil the bread until golden brown on one side, about 1 to 2 minutes. Turn the slices over and broil for another 30 seconds to 1 minute, until browned.
• Lay the prosciutto on the bread slices, cutting it if necessary to fit. Toss the figs with balsamic vinegar and place on top of prosciutto. Drizzle with olive oil, salt, pepper and garnish with thyme if desired and serve at once (so the toast doesn't turn soggy).