Crostini With Dried Fig Paste And Goat Cheese Recipes

Steps:

• Make savory fig jam:
• Cook shallot, thyme sprigs, and bay leaf in butter in a 1- to 1 1/2-quart heavy saucepan over moderately low heat, stirring, until shallot is softened, about 2 minutes. Add dried figs, Port, salt, and pepper and bring to a boil. Simmer, covered, until figs are soft, about 10 minutes. If there is still liquid in saucepan, remove lid and simmer, stirring, until most of liquid is evaporated, 3 to 4 minutes more. Discard bay leaf and thyme sprigs and transfer jam to a bowl. Cool, then stir in minced thyme and salt and pepper to taste.
• Make toasts while jam cools:
• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat to 350°F.
• Halve each baguette slice diagonally, then arrange on a baking sheet and brush tops lightly with oil. Bake until lightly toasted, about 7 minutes. Cool on baking sheet on a rack.
• Assemble crostini:
• Spread each toast with 1 teaspoon fig jam and top with about 1 1/2 teaspoons goat cheese and 2 pieces fresh fig.

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine the goat cheese, olive oil, honey and half of the tarragon, shallots and lemon zest. Season with salt and pepper.
• In a separate bowl, toss the figs with the lemon juice, saba vinegar and remaining tarragon, shallots and lemon zest. Season with salt and pepper.
• Spread the goat cheese mixture on the crostini, then top with the figs.

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan combine the wine, 2 tablespoons of the honey, the figs and star anise. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the figs are plump and tender, about 20 minutes.
• Transfer the figs to a cutting board to cool for 5 minutes. Then cut the figs into 1/4-inch slices. Discard the anise and bring the liquid back up to a boil over medium heat. Cook until the mixture is thick and reduced to 1/4 cup, about 10 minutes. Transfer the syrup to a small bowl and cool to room temperature.
• Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees F.
• Place the pancetta on a baking sheet and bake until the slices are crispy and brown, about 6 minutes. Set aside to cool then roughly chop.
• Brush the bread slices with the oil. Place on a baking sheet and bake until lightly toasted, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack.
• In a medium bowl combine the goat cheese, lemon juice, remaining 1 teaspoon honey, the chopped mint and the salt. Spread 1 tablespoon of the goat cheese mixture onto each crostini. Top with fig slices, pancetta crumbles and a sprinkle of sliced mint. Just before serving, drizzle with the reserved syrup.

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, combine vinegar and honey. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until mixture is reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Set aside to cool., Lightly brush both sides of baguette slices with oil; place on an ungreased baking sheet. Broil 3-4 in. from the heat 1-2 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Set aside., In a small bowl, combine the topping ingredients; toss to coat. In another bowl, beat goat cheese, lemon zest and pepper until blended., To serve, spread goat cheese mixture over toasts. Stir cranberry mixture; spoon over goat cheese. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and sprinkle with mint.

Steps:

• Chop figs into 1/4 inch pieces and soak in balsamic vinegar, over night.
• When ready, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spread goat cheese onto the crostini, and top with a spoonful of the chopped balsamic figs. Bake for approximately 10 minutes.
• Remove from oven, and drizzle with a few drops of the remaining balsamic vinegar. Serve.

Steps:

• Heat broiler. Brush both sides of baguette slices with oil; place on a rimmed baking sheet. Broil until golden, 1 to 2 minutes per side; set toasts aside.
• In a small saucepan, combine figs, sugar, wine, thyme, and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer, and cook until thickened, 7 to 9 minutes. Let compote cool to room temperature.
• Dividing evenly, spread each toast with goat cheese, and top with compote. Garnish with thyme, if desired.

Steps:

• If making the fig paste FROM SCRATCH: Place the dried figs, orange juice, water and salt in a saucepan. Over low heat, simmer, until the dried figs are soft and 2 tablespoons of the liquid remains about 20 to 30 minutes. If the mixture gets dry, add water to keep it moist. Set the mixture aside to cool, then stir in the orange zest and puree in a blender or food processor to make a paste. Reserve. If you're using your own fig jam, skip to Step #2.
• Toast the baguette slices. Spread the dried fig paste or fig jam on top of the crostini. Place the goat cheese in a bowl and mash with a fork. Spread approximately ½ tablespoon goat cheese over the dried fig paste/jam. Garnish with the green onions and/or fresh basil and serve.
• Note: If using homemade or commercial fig jam, garnish fresh orange zest on top of the crostini [or] stir the grated orange zest into the fig jam.