Goat Cheese And Fig Sandwiches On Raisin Bread Recipes

Steps:

• For the Fig Spread:.
• In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the figs, 1 1/2 cups of the water, and sugar. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 20 to 25 minutes, or until most of the liquid has evaporated and the figs are nearly tender when pierced with a fork.
• Transfer the mixture to a food processor, add the lemon juice, and process for 20 to 30 seconds (adding remaining 1/4 cup of water if necessary), or until smooth. Makes about 1 3/4 cups.
• For the Sandwiches:.
• Preheat the broiler. With a 2-inch biscuit cutter, cut out a round from each slice of bread. Arrange the rounds on a baking sheet and toast them under the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, or until lightly browned.
• In a small bowl or food processor, combine the goat cheese and milk. Whisk or blend until smooth. Spoon the mixture into a piping bag fitted with a star nozzle, and then pipe the cheese onto each round of bread.
• Top with a spoonful of the fig spread and garnish with 2 pieces of chives.

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:

• In a large skillet, heat oil over medium. Add onions, and season with salt and pepper. Cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions have softened, 8 to 10 minutes. Uncover; cook until onions are golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes more (if skillet begins to darken, add cup water).
• Dividing evenly, spread cheese on 4 bread slices. Top with onions and figs; sandwich with remaining bread.

Steps:

• Stir together goat cheese and pepper with a fork. Spread butter on cut sides of rolls. Make sandwiches with rolls, peppered goat cheese, figs, prosciutto, and arugula.

Steps:

• Combine honey, lemon rind, and goat cheese, stirring till blended. Spread 1 tbls. goat cheese mixture on each of 4 bread slices; top each slice with 1 1/2 teaspoons preserves and 1/2 teaspoons basil. Top with remaining bread slices. Lightly coat oustide of each sandwich with margarine or cooking spray.
• Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add 2 sandwiches to the pan. Place a weight(cast iron or heavy skillet) on top of sandwiches; press gently to flatten. Cookk 3 minutes on each side, or until bread is lightly toasted, leaving pan on top of sandwiches as they cook.
• Repeat with remaining sandwiches. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.
• Makes 4 sandwiches.

Steps:

• Mix cheese and chopped watercress in medium bowl. Season with salt. Spread mixture evenly over 8 bread slices. Top with remaining bread. Butter edges of sandwiches. Cut sandwiches diagonally in half. Place pecans on plate. Dip buttered edges of sandwiches into pecans. Arrange sandwiches on platter. Garnish with watercress sprigs. (Can be made 8 hours ahead. Cover sandwiches tightly; chill.)