Want to know how to determine if a fig is ripe? A ripe fig will be soft to the touch and may exude a tiny bit of juice from the stem.
INGREDIENTS:
10 fresh figs, Black Mission or Calimyrna, cut in half through the stem
10 strips sliced bacon,* cut in half for 20 short strips
1/4 cup cheese, softened (cream cheese, goat cheese or blue cheese), optional but very nice
Honey
Flaky salt (like Maldon)
Fresh ground pepper
METHOD:
Preheat oven to 375°. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper and set aside.
Drizzle a few drops of honey on the cut side of the fig. Spread 1 teaspoon of cheese on fig. Dust the cheese with a pinch of flaky salt and a grind or two of pepper.
Wrap each fig with a slice of bacon, overlapping ends under the fig. Place fig, cut side up, on the prepared baking pan. (Repeat to finish all figs.)
Bake for 15-18 minutes or until bacon is browned and slightly crisped. Allow to cool on the baking sheet for five minutes before serving.
Serve warm or at room temperature.
*Do not use thick sliced bacon — regular or thin sliced is best for this recipe.
