I am not a food blogger per se.  But I love food.  I love working with it, photographing it, eating it.  And, I love to cook (when I have time).  Sometimes I’ll do a post about food just because I’m taking a photo of it and I’ll find a cool recipe to try.

The shape, color and texture of figs (not to mention the taste) is quite unique.  It is a soft, sensual fruit and I really wanted to capture that photographically.  So I picked up a package of figs (usually sold in a plastic clamshell case) at the local store and shot them in various ways with some beautiful natural light.  I had no idea how to cook them, but I thought that an appetizer with some type of cheese would be tasty.  A quick search on the internet came up with this recipe (at the end of the post).  It was not only fun to style and shoot, but these little fig appetizers contained an explosion of flavors.  I think it would make an elegant and different appetizer for a holiday party.

Fig facts:

* The fig is considered a fruit, but it is actually the flower inverted into itself.  The seeds are the drupes or the real fruit.

* They are the only fruit to fully ripen and semi-dry on the tree.

* Figs have a proteolytic enzyme that can aid digestion, is used by the pharmaceutical industry, and can be beneficial to people who want to quit smoking!

* They contain a natural humectant – a chemical that extends freshness and moistness in baked products

Figs can be difficult to find in some parts of the country at this time of year, but California figs are in season from summer through December.  I used Brown Turkey figs (an odd name – my husband didn’t know what to think when he saw them!), which are at the end of their season.  Pick up some fresh figs and enjoy them while you can!

Elegant Fig Appetizers with Goat Cheese and Almonds

• 12 fresh figs, halved
• 4 ounces herbed goat cheese (chevre)
• 24 almonds
• 1 Tablespoon honey
• 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar

1. Preheat the oven broiler on high heat.
2. 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.
3. 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 broiler and let cool for 5 minutes.  Arrange the figs on a serving platter and drizzle with honey and balsamic vinegar.  Serve warm.

Bon Appetit!

One response to "Fresh Fabulous Figs"

• 
  Melissa/Foodie for Two says:

  on 09 Dec 2011 at 2:40 pm

  
  

  Sounds and looks like a delectable combination! And I learned a few things from your fig facts, very nice.

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I am a freelance Food and Travel photographer, based in the foothills outside of Denver, Colorado. This blog is a way to share my passion for anything related to food, travel, and creativity. I hope you enjoy the images and musings, and feel free to comment and subscribe with the links below. Thanks for visiting!