Fig And Cheese Toasts Recipes

Steps:

• Place the orange zest and orange juice in a medium (10-inch) heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, such as Le Creuset. Add the sugar, vanilla bean, and figs to the pot. Cover and bring to a full boil over medium heat. (Don't worry; it may look dry.) Stir the mixture and boil hard for 1 minute, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Lower the heat, and cook uncovered at a full simmer for 50 minutes to 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. You want the little bubbles to be throughout the pot, not just at the edges. After 45 minutes, refrigerate a small amount of the liquid to see if it becomes syrupy. It should be like a soft fruit preserve. Keep cooking just until the liquid starts to gel when cold. If the liquid is too firm, add a little orange juice or water, cook for a minute, and test it again until it's right. Depending on how ripe the figs are, they will probably keep their shape, but it's fine if they don't. Discard the vanilla bean and serve or refrigerate.
• Before serving, toast or grill the bread and spread with goat cheese. Spoon the fig preserves on, then the grated orange zest if using, and serve.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425°F. On ungreased large cookie sheet, place bread slices; brush tops lightly with oil.
• Bake 5 to 6 minutes or until bread is just starting to turn golden brown. Turn slices over; top each with 1 cheese slice. Bake 2 to 3 minutes longer or just until cheese starts to melt.
• Place fig quarter, seed side up, on top of each cheese-topped toast. Drizzle with honey and sprinkle with pepper. Serve immediately.

Steps:

• Toast the bread in a toaster and while it is still warm, spread the fig spread on each slice to cover it entirely. Place the cheese in a bowl and heat in the microwave for 30 to 45 seconds, until it's creamy and spreadable. Spread a layer of the cheese on the fig spread, leaving the edges of the fig spread visible. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Cut each toast crosswise to make appetizers that will be easy to eat. Place a fig slice on each piece, top with a few microgreens, and drizzle lightly with the balsamic vinegar. Serve at room temperature.

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).

Steps:

• Arrange toasts on a serving platter and top each with a Brie cheese square. Spoon fig preserves onto Brie cheese and sprinkle almonds over toast. Drizzle a fine line of balsamic glaze over each toast and top with thyme.