Fresh figs are one of those decadent indulgences for me because for a long time, they were only available at the local little CoOp and they were definitely premium priced, so when I saw a big carton of them for a little price at Costco, I snatched them up with glee. Once home though I quickly remembered how delicate they are and how quickly they spoil, and I realized I needed to come up with a plan for these lovelies tout suite! Quick glance at the calendar … picnic on Sunday. Perfect!
Because fresh figs are so special, I really wanted to keep it simple so they could shine like the superstars that they are. Hence my plan for figs three ways.
For the first, I halved the figs, top with crumbled bleu cheese and broiled until golden brown and bubbly.
Second, I topped toasted baguette with softened goat cheese (also a great buy at Costco) and then sliced figs, drizzled with just a touch of balsamic vinegar and a generous grind of fresh black pepper. These were gobbled up before the plate ever made it outside.
And finally, wrap halved figs in bacon and heat in sauté pan until the bacon is browned on all sides.
The trio of figs was a success and a great introduction to a few party goers that hadn’t previously been exposed to this luscious fruit. Maybe the next time they see them at Costco, they too will get figgy with it.
