Thursday, October 4, 2012

#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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28 comments:

  1. Oh my yum!!! I love crostini and you cannot beat goat cheese + figs (well, blue cheese is pretty darn yummy too.) Happy #figlove!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Deanna,
      The goat cheese goes so well with the figs. I don't like blue cheese, but my hubby does.

      Delete
  2. Ahaha fig newtons count, at least that is all the figgy things my husbands family knew while he was growing up. I was introduced to fig newtons when I came to the US at their house. Love your crostini. Looks relish!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Shulie,
    Thank you! The crostini is both savory and sweet at the same time.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh, boy, do these look amazing! Yeah, it seems like fresh figs are here for about 2 weeks in the fall...then gone. Fig Newtons were the only cookie my mom would buy us when I was growing up, so I do have fond memories of them :) Hope I can get back in the swing with the #love bloghop one of these months!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lizzy,
      Using dried figs in this recipe worked well. Fig Newtons aren't my favorite cookie, but the figs on this crostini were wonderful.

      Delete
  5. I love figs with goat cheese or any sharp blue, for that matter.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anita,
      Figs and goat cheese go together so well, you can't miss with them.

      Delete
  6. Figs and crostini and cheese are made for each other, I simply adore your delicious recipe :)

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Uru,
      Thank you! Figs, goat cheese, and crostini are made for each other,

      Delete
  7. These are MUCH better than fig newtons :-) This is a perfect crostini for my next party. I love all the flavors you pulled together here. Sending you lots of #figlove all month!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan,
      There are many layers of flavor and texture going on in the crostini, which Gives it such a great flavor.

      Delete
  8. Replies
    1. Claudia,
      These crostini taste so good with all the caramelized onion, and fruit on the crostini.

      Delete
  9. I am just discovering #figlove like you too :-) Your crostini looks amazing, and I'm sure the caramelized onions & apples add a delicious touch. Goat cheese and figs? Yes, please!! Happy #figlove!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. EA,
      Thank you! The crostini were so good, especially my new found of love of figs.

      Delete
  10. I also wanted to make crostinis! But finally I opted for croissants hehe They look absolutely devine.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Valerie,
      I guess I beat you too them:) Figs and cheese just go together.

      Delete
  11. Replies
    1. Medeja,
      These crostini have great flavors and textures, plus goat cheese.

      Delete
  12. This looks fabulous! I will have to try it next time I have people over :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I would highly recommend these crostini. My neighborgot my recipe and made them.

      Delete
  13. Anything with goat cheese and figs makes me smile! Thank you for sharing another delicious recipe and delightful post, my friend. I hope you have a wonderful week full of ample plates of good food!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Monet,
      I had never had figs before, so the pairing of figs and goat cheese was delightful surprise to me.

      Delete
  14. Dried figs sound perfect used in your crostini, we can get fresh figs here in California but their season is fairly short.
    I like the cooked onions and apple slices along with the goat cheese, I could make a meal out of these crostinis-just yummy;-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Patty,
      The crostini would be perfect for a light lunch, protein, fruit and veggies!

      Delete
  15. This looks so wonderful! I have never been a big fan of figs, but this could change my mind. I would love this crostini! Beautiful photography too!
    Cynthia at http://FeedingBig.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hi! Have you ever thought, have your writting skills upgraded recently?

    ReplyDelete

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