Fig And Walnut Tapenade With Goat Cheese Food

FIG AND WALNUT TAPENADE WITH GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Combine chopped figs and 1/3 cup water in heavy medium saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat until liquid evaporates and figs are soft, about 7 minutes. Transfer to medium bowl. Mix in olives, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, capers, and chopped thyme. Season tapenade to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be made 3 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before serving.)
• Arrange overlapping cheese rounds in circle in center of medium platter. Stir chopped walnuts into tapenade; spoon into center of cheese circle. Garnish with walnut halves and thyme sprigs, if desired. Serve with breads and/or crackers.

FIG AND OLIVE TAPENADE

Steps:

• Combine figs and water in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, and cook until tender, and liquid has reduced. Remove from heat, and stir in the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, rosemary, thyme, and cayenne. Add olives and garlic, and mix well. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover, and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight to allow flavors to blend.
• Unwrap cream cheese block, and place on a serving platter. Spoon tapenade over cheese, and sprinkle with walnuts. Serve with slices of French bread or crackers.

WALNUT AND FIG TAPENADE WITH GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Combine chopped figs and 1/3 cup water in heavy saucepan.
• Cook over medium-high heat until liquid evaporates and figs are soft, about 7 minutes.
• Transfer to medium bowl.
• Mix in olives, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, capers, and chopped thyme.
• Season tapenade to taste with salt and pepper.*.
• Cover and refrigerate.
• Bring to room temperature before serving.
• *This dish can be prepared 2 days in advance.
• Arrange overlapping cheese rounds in the center of a medium platter.
• Stir chopped walnuts into tapenade and place in center of cheese circle.
• Garnish with walnut HALVES and thyme sprigs.
• Serve with great crackers.

FIG AND POMEGRANATE TAPENADE

Steps:

• Preheat broiler. Line small baking sheet with foil. Brush foil with olive oil. Lightly brush figs with 1/2 tablespoon olive oil. Arrange figs, cut side up, on sheet. Broil until figs are lightly browned at edges, about 3 minutes. Cool on baking sheet.
• Combine figs, olives, capers, pomegranate molasses, rosemary, and vinegar in processor. Using on/off turns, coarsely chop figs and olives. With motor running, add remaining 1tablespoon oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to bowl. Stir in walnuts. Let tapenade stand 2 hours at room temperature to blend flavors. (Can be prepared 5 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before serving.)
• *A thick pomegranate syrup that's available at Middle Eastern markets and some supermarkets.