Fresh Figs with Goat Cheese and Peppered Honey

When figs are in season, this is the time to make this recipe. As a matter of interest, fig newtons and dried figs are NOTHING like a fresh fig! A fresh fig tastes like a mix of a peach and a strawberry! Figs won’t last long at room temperature, but a mildly cool refrigerator will keep them several days. Figs with light brown to violet or greenish brown in color are the best ones to eat fresh. Figs provide more fiber than any other common fruit or vegetable. The fiber in figs is both soluble and insoluble. Both types of fiber are important for good health. Figs can be used as an appetizer, in a main dish or as a dessert.

1/4 cup honey
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
12 fresh figs
1/4 cup soft fresh goat cheese

Mix honey and pepper in small bowl. Starting at stem end, cut each fig into quarters, stopping 1/2 inch from bottom to leave base intact. Gently press figs open. Spoon 1 teaspoon cheese into center of each. Arrange figs on platter and drizzle with peppered honey.

Makes 4 servings.

The Culinary Chase’s note: Depending on the size of the figs, I would serve two per person as three figs each might be a bit much. If goat cheese isn’t a favorite, you can always try other soft cheeses or try combining mascarpone and goats cheese. For a variation on today’s recipe, wrap thin slices of proscuitto around the cheese filled figs (omit the honey), put on a baking tray and grill in the oven until procsuitto cooks or cheese is caramel in color (watch closely as it’ll cook quickly). A simple but delicious dish.