Crostini With Dried Fig Paste And Goat Cheese Recipes

MARINATED FIG AND GOAT CHEESE CROSTINI

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.

FIG AND GOAT CHEESE CROSTINI

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.

CROSTINI WITH DRIED FIG PASTE AND GOAT CHEESE

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.