Grilled Figs Topped With Feta Cheese Food

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).

GRILLED PORK TENDERLOIN WITH FRESH FIG SKEWERS

Steps:

• Prepare a hot fire in your grill. Brush the tenderloin with the olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
• Remove the skewers from the water. Pierce the figs through the middle with a metal skewer or ice pick to make a hole. Then thread 3 figs onto each rosemary or wooden skewer. Lightly brush the figs with olive oil.
• Place the pork tenderloin directly over the fire. Grill for 2 to 3 minutes per side (the center-cut pork loin filet for 5 to 7 minutes per side), turning a quarter turn at a time, until an instant-read meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part registers 140°F for medium and the meat is juicy and slightly pink in the center.
• At the same time, place the skewered figs over the fire, turning several times and cooking for about 5 to 6 minutes until they are heated through. When they're caramelized and soft, remove the skewers from the heat and keep warm.
• Let the pork rest for about 5 minutes, and then cut on the diagonal into 1- to 2-inch-thick slices.
• To serve, arrange 3 slices of pork with a skewer of figs on each plate, all topped with crumbled goat cheese, drizzled with 1/2 teaspoon honey, and a sprinkled with chopped rosemary.

GRILLED SAUSAGE AND FIG PIZZA WITH GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Halve dough; roll to 10-inch rounds. Brush tops with some of dressing.
• Grill pizzas, seasoned side down, until golden on bottom, about 4 minutes. Turn pizzas over. Top with Fontina, arugula, sausages, figs, and onions. Drizzle with more dressing. Cover; grill until Fontina melts and pizza is cooked through, about 4 minutes. Top with goat cheese. Grill until goat cheese softens, about 1 minute.

FIG AND GRUYERE GRILLED CHEESE

Steps:

• Heat skillet on medium-low.
• Butter one side each of both slices of bread, then spread the opposite side of one slice with fig jam, and the other slice with goat cheese.
• Place jam-covered slice of bread butter-side down on the heated skillet. Top with slices of Gruyere, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Place the other slice of bread on top, goat cheese side down.
• Cook until the browned on the bottom, approximately 4 minutes. Carefully flip the sandwich and continue to cook until the opposite side is browned and the cheese is melted, about 4 more minutes.
• Slice in half and serve immediately.

GRILLED FRESH FIGS AND BLUE CHEESE

Steps:

• Cut the figs in half lengthwise and put a tablespoon of blue cheese on top of each half. Top this mixture with a teaspoon of balsamic vinegar.
• Put figs on a warm grill and cook until the cheese melts and the figs are heated through.
• Serve and enjoy!

BACON WRAPPED STUFFED FIGS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Fill a medium sauce pan with water. Bring to a boil.
• Add dry figs to saucepan. Remove from heat and let figs sit for 5-10 minutes. Until they are plump.
• Remove figs from water and place on a paper towel lined plate. Pat dry.
• In a small bowl, add goat cheese, rosemary, thyme, sage and garlic powder. Using a fork mix everything together.
• Snip the stems of the figs and cut a slit in the figs (enough to stuff it with cheese) about a 1/2″.
• Stuff each fig with the goat cheese mixture then wrap with pre-sliced bacon and secure with a toothpick in them. Place wrapped figs on parchment paper lined baking sheet seam side down.
• Repeat process until on figs are stuffed and wrapped.
• Bake for 15-20 minutes or until bacon is crispy.

GRILLED FIGS TOPPED WITH FETA CHEESE

Steps:

• Brush figs with olive oil and grill them cut-side down over hot coals for about four minutes.
• Lay each fig on a fresh basil serve them topped with feta cheese.

GRILLED FIGS WITH GOAT CHEESE AND PROSCIUTTO

Steps:

• Heat grill to medium high.
• Cut a slit in the side of each fig and gently pull the fig open. Push a spoonful of goat cheese into each fig.
• Wrap each fig securely with a piece of prosciutto, making sure the prosciutto covers the opening where the cheese is. You can use a toothpick to secure the prosciutto if you want to be extra sure it stays in place...if you do, use wooden ones (not plastic) and soak them in some water ahead of time so the grill doesn't make them catch fire.
• Grill the figs about 1-2 minutes per side until the prosciutto starts to get a little crispy.
• Mix the vinegar and honey together, drizzle over the grilled figs and serve!

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).