Fig And Blue Cheese Savouries Recipes

BLUE CHEESE SOUFFLE WITH FRESH FIGS AND HONEY

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Prepare 4 (8-ounce) ramekins by greasing them with softened butter and then coating them with sugar, tapping out any excess.
• Make a thick bechamel sauce base by melting the 3 tablespoons of butter over low-medium heat in a thick-bottomed pot. Just as the foam subsides, add the flour, stirring constantly with a whisk to prevent lumps. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes to coat the flour with fat and remove the starchy taste; do not allow the roux to brown. Add the warm milk to the mixture and continue to whisk until smooth and thick. Remove from the heat. Beat in the egg yolks 1 at a time. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Stir in the cheese until incorporated evenly. Chill the mixture while whipping the egg whites.
• In a separate clean bowl beat the egg whites and cream of tartar just until soft peaks form. Fold 1/3 of the beaten whites into the bechamel mixture to lighten it. Then gently fold in the rest. Pour the batter into the prepared ramekins and place on a cookie sheet. Bake on the middle rack for about 25 minutes.
• The souffle is done when it has puffed over the rim, the outside is golden, and the center jiggles slightly.
• Serve with fresh figs and a drizzle of honey. Dust with confectioners' sugar.

FIG AND GORGONZOLA SAVOURIES (THUMBPRINTS)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Place the flour, butter, Gorgonzola, and a few grinds of black pepper in the bowl of a food processor. Process until the dough just comes together and starts to form a ball.
• Dump the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead a few times to pull the dough together.
• Shape dough into logs, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for an hour in the freezer.
• Slice logs into 1/8 inch thick slices, and place onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
• Using the back or a round half-teaspoon measure, or your knuckle, make an indentation in the top of each dough round. Spoon about 1/4 teaspoon fig preserves into each indentation, using your finger to push the preserves as best as possible into the indentations.
• Bake the savories for 10 - 14 minutes, until the preserves are bubbling and the pastry is light golden on the bottom.
• Let cool on the baking sheet for at least 10 minutes, the remove to a wire rack to cool.
• You'll find fig preserves at the grocery - it may be shelved with the "fancy" jams and jellies. You can make these a day ahead and keep them in two layers separated by waxed paper in an airtight container.