Herb Chevre Fig Spread Food

HERB CHEVRE FIG SPREAD

Steps:

• In a small bowl pour boiling water over figs to cover; let stand 15 minutes. Drain well.
• Meanwhile, in a medium bowl stir together chevre, sour cream, basil, and thyme. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Stir in drained figs and 1/4 cup almonds. Thin with milk if needed. Cover and chill in refrigerator up to 24 hours.
• To serve, transfer spread to a serving bowl. Sprinkle with remaining almonds and fresh thyme (if using).
• Serve with toasted baguette slices or crackers.

FIG SPREAD

Steps:

• In a med saucepan, combine figs with sugar and 1 1/2 cups water; bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until most of the liquid has evaporated and figs are easily pierced with the tip of a sharp paring knife, about 20 minutes.
• Transfer mixture to a food processor; add lemon juice.
• Puree until smooth (add up to 1/4 cup additional water, if needed, to thin to desired consistency).
• Store in refrigerator for up to 1 month.

HERB COATED GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Arrange the bread slices on 2 heavy baking sheets. Drizzle 3 tablespoons of olive oil over the bread slices. Bake until the crostini are pale golden and crisp, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, stir the herbs, lemon zest, pepper, and salt in a medium bowl to blend. Using about 2 teaspoons of cheese for each, form the goat cheese into 1-inch diameter balls. Roll the cheese balls in the herb mixture to coat completely. Arrange the cheese balls on a platter. Drizzle the extra-virgin olive oil over and around the cheese balls. Serve with the crostini. Garnish with herb sprigs.
• The crostini and cheese balls can be prepared 1 day ahead. Store the crostini in an airtight container at room temperature. Cover and refrigerate the cheese balls.

HERBED CHEVRE SPREAD

Steps:

• Combine ingredients well, and serve either packed into a bowl and drizzled with olive oil, or formed into a ball and rolled into chopped toasted walnuts or almonds.

TOMATO AND BASIL CHEVRE SPREAD

Steps:

• In a small bowl, cover tomatoes with boiling water. Let stand 10 minutes. Drain and discard liquid. Finely chop tomatoes.
• In a medium bowl, stir together tomatoes, cheeses, basil, garlic and pepper. Stir in enough milk to reach a spreading consistency.
• Cover and chill for at least 2 hours (up to 8 hours).
• Serve with assorted crackers.

ELEGANT FIG APPETIZERS WITH GOAT CHEESE AND ALMONDS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven broiler for high heat.
• Place the fig halves, cut side up, on a baking sheet. Top each half with about 1/2 teaspoon goat cheese. Place one almond on each, press to push the cheese slightly into each fig.
• Broil the figs in the preheated oven until the cheese is soft and the almonds are turning a rich shade of brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the broiler and let cool for 5 minutes. Arrange the figs on a serving platter and drizzle with honey and balsamic vinegar. Serve warm.