#figlove Crostini with Figs, Caramelized Onions, and Apples on Goat Cheese

Time again for Love Bloghop and the theme this month is #figlove.  Join in on the #figlove fun linking up any fig recipe from the month of October 2012.  Don't forget to link back to this post, so that your readers know to come stop by the #figlove event.  The twitter hashtag is#fighlove:) and the Pinterest ID is #figlove.

I must admit that I have eaten very few figs in my lifetime and know very little about them.  Does eating Fig Newtons count?  Living here in the Midwest, ripe figs aren't plentiful, and if they are in the grocery store, they are pricey, and not in good condition.  I was able to find dried figs however.  Like dried rasins, figs, can be re-hydrated by placing them in a pan, with water or juice, bringing to boil, and simmering for 2 minutes.  Pour off liquid, and allow plumped figs to cool.  Here is a picture of dried figs on the right of the plate, and plumped figs on the left of the plate.

The figs do plump up nicely, and get soft and sweet. I used the the plumped figs to make Crostini with Figs, Caramelized Onions and  Apples on Goat Cheese for #figlove, which is sweet and savory at the same time. Oh, I also used dried cranberries, too, for a little color. I know that this is a long title, but this Crostini is so good, with creamy Goat Cheese, savory caramelized onions, and sweet apples, and figs. Oh, I also used dried cranberries, too, for a little color. We had company over the weekend, and made these crostini, which  were a definite hit.  You could also use the caramelized onion mixture with fruit over baked Brie.  Now I am a fan of figs.  I like the re-hydrated figs, better than the Fig Newtons. 

If you have any made any type of Crostini, you know how easy they are to make. First you cut a French Bread baguette, or any other type of bread, into 1/4" kitchen sliced. Drizzle a little olive oil over the bread befor baking. then you saute sliced onions and apple slices in frying pan  until soft and carmelized. Then add brown sugar, balasamic vinegar, figs,and dried cranberries.  Simmer until sauce is thickened.  Spread toasted Crostinis with softened Goat Cheese. Top with caramelized onion mixture, and serve.

I I linked up my recipe to Brandie@The Country Cook's Weekend Potluck #39
Stop by and say Hi to Brandie!

Crostini with Figs, Caramelized Onions, and Apples on Goat Cheese for #figlove

Ingredients:     

• 2 Tbsp of butter
•  1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 2 apples, such as Gala or Granny Smith, unpeeled, cored, and thinly sliced
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 Tbsp brown sugar
• 2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup plumped figs
• 1 French baguette thinly sliced into 26 (1/4 to 1/2-inch thick) slices
• Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
• 3 ounces creamy Goat cheese. softened slightly

Directions

In a high-sided skillet, heat the butter over medium heat. Add the onions, apple slices, salt, and pepper. Cook until the onions and apple slices begin to soften, about 10 minutes,. stirring often.. Stir in dried cranberries and plumped figs, brown sugar, and balsamic vinegar, stirring frequently until mixture is thickened and caramelized, about 5 minutes.

Place an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Arrange the bread slices on a baking sheet in a single layer. Drizzle with oil and bake until lightly golden, 5-7 minutes. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and spread with Goat cheese. Spoon the caramelized Fig mixture on top of the cheese, and serve. 

 Here is a list of my wonderful co-hosts

Angela Roberts http://spinachtiger.com @spinachtiger http://pinterest.com/angelaroberts/
Valerie http://www.bonacroquer.com/ Valouth Valerie Dubard
Deanna Segrave-Daly www.teaspoonofspice.com @tspbasil tspbasil
Food Wanderings www.foodwanderings.blogspot.com @foodwanderings http://pinterest.com/foodwanderings/
Evelyne http://www.cheapethniceatz.com cethniceatz cheapethniceatz
Sheila http://pippisinthekitchenagain.wordpress.com @shlylais http://pinterest.com/sheilapippi/
T.R. http://tcrumbley.blogspot.com/ TRCrumbley TRCrumbley
EA Stewart www.eastewart@sbcglobal.net @thespicyrd thespicyrd
Becky http://bakingandcookingataleoftwoloves.blogspot.com/ n/a http://pinterest.com/bakeandcook/
Susan Pridmore http://thewimpyvegetarian.com @wimpyvegetarian Susan Pridmore

 
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