Stuffed Figs Sibari Style Food

BACON-WRAPPED STUFFED FIGS

Steps:

• Position an oven rack in the center of the oven, and preheat the broiler. Slice the figs about 3/4 of the way down the center lengthwise, and open each like a book; set aside.
• Combine the goat cheese, pesto, lemon juice and zest and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a small bowl with a rubber spatula. Fill each fig with about 1 teaspoon of the cheese-pesto mixture.
• Wrap each stuffed fig with a slice of bacon, and secure with a toothpick. Put the figs, seam-side down, on a rimmed baking sheet.
• Broil, turning once, until the bacon is cooked through and crispy, about 4 to 5 minutes per side.

STUFFED FIGS IN A BLANKET

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Chop the cranberries and mix them into the goat cheese. Cut the tops off the apricots and use your finger to open up a hole. Fill an apricot with some of the cheese mixture, then push a raisin into it. Fill a fig with some cheese, then push the apricot into it. Repeat until all the fruit has been used. Slice the prosciutto slices in half lengthwise and wrap a slice around each fig. Place on a baking sheet and bake until the prosciutto has browned, about 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool a bit before serving.

DOLCELATTE-STUFFED FIGS

Steps:

• Remove the hard core from the dried figs. Cut a pocket in each with the point of a knife, then stuff each pocket with ½ tsp dolcelatte cheese.
• Cut the prosciutto in half lengthways, then wrap up each stuffed fig into a little parcel. Serve scattered with a small handful chopped parsley if you have it.

STUFFED PORK LOIN WITH FIGS

Steps:

• Put figs in hot water to soak. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
• Wriggle a thin, sharp knife into each end of meat, making a kind of pilot hole. Then use handle of a long wooden spoon to force a hole all the way through meat, making it as wide as your thumb.
• Drain when figs are tender but not mushy, reserving liquid. Stuff figs into roast, all the way to center from each end.
• Combine salt, pepper and rosemary and rub it all over meat. Put meat in a roasting pan and pour about half a cup of fruit-soaking liquid over it. Roast undisturbed for 20 minutes. Lower heat to 350 degrees and continue to cook, basting with pan juices (or added liquid, like wine or water, if necessary) every 15 minutes or so. When an instant-read thermometer registers 145 to 150 degrees - probably after 40 to 60 minutes - remove roast to a warm platter. (When checking meat, be sure thermometer is in meat, not fruit.)
• Let sit for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, put roasting pan on stove over one or two burners set to medium-high. If there is a lot of liquid, reduce it to about half a cup, scraping bottom of pan with a wooden spoon to release any brown bits. If pan is dry, add half a cup of wine and follow same process. When sauce has reduced, slice roast and serve with sauce.

FIGS STUFFED WITH GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Use your fingers to roll the goat cheese into 24 1/2 teaspoon-sized balls.
• Cut figs in half. Press a cheese ball into the center of each fig. Plate them and drizzle with vinegar. Serve within an hour.

DOUBLE-NUT STUFFED FIGS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Remove stems from figs. Cut an "X" in the top of each fig, about two-thirds of the way down., In a small bowl, combine pecans, walnuts, 3 tablespoons agave nectar, cocoa, cinnamon and cloves; spoon into figs. Arrange in a 13x9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray., In a small bowl, mix pomegranate juice, lemon juice and remaining agave nectar; drizzle over figs. Bake, covered, 20 minutes. Bake, uncovered, 8-10 minutes longer or until heated through, basting occasionally with cooking liquid.

STUFFED FRESH FIGS

Steps:

• Mash the ripest fig on a plate with the honey, using a fork; set aside.
• Trim stems from remaining figs with a sharp knife, then cut a deep "X" in the top of each, making sure not to cut all the way through to the bottom. Gently spread each fig apart with your fingertips to make "petals."
• Combine ricotta cheese and almonds in a small bowl. Press mashed fig mixture through a sieve into a cup with the back of a spoon.
• To serve, spoon ricotta mixture into figs. Arrange on a platter and drizzle with fig honey.