Gorgonzola Cheese Fig And Pecan Cracker Spread Recipes

Steps:

• Place all ingredients in food processor container fitted with steel blade; cover. Process until blended but not smooth.
• Serve with crusty French bread, bagels or woven wheat crackers.

Steps:

• Reserve 1 tablespoon of the Gorgonzola cheese for garnish. In food processor, place cream cheese, remaining Gorgonzola cheese, half-and-half and pepper. Cover and process just until blended.
• Reserve 1 tablespoon of the walnuts for garnish. Stir remaining walnuts into cheese mixture. Spoon into shallow serving bowl. Sprinkle with reserved Gorgonzola cheese, walnuts and the parsley. Serve with bread slices and apple slices.

Steps:

• Put the 1/2 cup quartered figs into a small saucepan along with the red wine and thyme. Let the mixture simmer over low heat for 15 minutes. Drain the figs, discard the thyme and wine and set the figs aside to cool.
• Put the cream cheese and butter into the bowl of a standing mixer and, using the paddle attachment, cream the mixture on medium until well blended, about 1 minute. Add the Gorgonzola, brandy and salt and beat 1 more minute. Take care not to overbeat or it won't set properly.
• Spray a 1 quart loaf pan with cooking spray and line the inside with plastic wrap. Spoon half of the cheese mixture into the pan and spread it evenly, making sure to get into the corners. Scatter the figs, pecans and chopped parsley on top evenly and cover with the remaining cheese. Give the pan a few sharp raps on a flat surface to settle the terrine, cover the top with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 6 hours.
• To remove the terrine from the pan, turn upside down on a flat surface and pull 1 end of the plastic wrap down. The terrine will slip out of the pan onto the top piece of plastic wrap. Slice and fan out on a platter garnished with greens. Garnish with the remaining 1/2 cup of figs, pecans and thyme. Serve with crackers.

Steps:

• Put the figs in a saucepan with red wine and thyme. Simmer 15 minutes, drain, and discard thyme and wine. Let figs cool while preparing cheese.
• Mix cream cheese and butter with electric mixer, until well blended, 1 minute. Add gorgonzola, brandy, and salt. Beat one more minute. Do not over-beat or the cheese will not set properly.
• Spray a bread pan with cooking spray. Line inside of pan with plastic wrap. Spoon half of the cheese mixture into the pan, spread it flat and make sure it gets into the corners. Sprinkle with figs, pecans, and parsley. Cover with remaining cheese. Bang the pan on the counter a few times to settle everything into place. Cover the top with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
• When ready to serve, remove from pan and place on a platter being sure to remove plastic wrap. Decorate with additional Figs, Thyme, Pecans, and/or Parsley.
• Serve with your favorite crackers (we like the Whole Wheat Ritz Crackers).

Steps:

• Freeze the grape slices until frozen, about 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Put the Gorgonzola and mascarpone in a bowl and mix with an electric hand mixer until combined. Fill a disposable pastry bag with the cheese mixture and snip the tip about 1/2 inch from the end.
• Remove the top third from each fig and place upright on a small baking sheet. Add the walnuts and roast until the figs are soft and beginning to caramelize and the walnuts are toasty, about 10 minutes.
• Heat a saute pan over medium heat and add a splash of olive oil. Add the prosciutto and saute until crispy, about 5 minutes. Add a splash of red wine vinegar and remove from the heat.
• Finely chop the walnuts. Pipe a heaping amount of the cheese mixture into each fig. Roll the tops in chopped walnuts. Top with crispy prosciutto pieces. Stick a frozen grape slice in each.

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.

Steps:

• In a processor bowl, finely chop walnuts.
• Set aside.
• With processor running, add shallot and chop finely.
• Add cheeses and process until crumbly.
• Add remaining ingredients, including walnuts.
• Process until creamy.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F. Roll out dough on work surface to 12x9-inch rectangle. Sprinkle 1/4 cup dried figs over center third of dough. Fold left side of dough over figs. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup dried figs. Fold right side of dough over second layer of figs to cover. Using rolling pin, gently flatten dough to 12x7-inch rectangle; place on baking sheet. Arrange fig slices atop dough. Sprinkle with Gorgonzola cheese, then sugar and ground black pepper. Bake bread until golden brown and cheese melts, about 25 minutes. Serve bread warm.