Growing up in suburbia Long Island, NY, we didn’t have a huge yard, but it was large enough to house a fig tree (and a pool), which was pretty much all I cared about.
Every year, like an anxious, impatient child on Christmas morning, I would await the first crop of figs. I would venture outside each day during the summer, hoping that at least one fig would be ripe for the taking, and once it was, I was in heaven.
My love of figs continues to this day. For me, a perfectly ripe fig, sans any embellishments, is sheer perfection, and the best way of eating them in my view. But this simple and delicious way of serving them may be a close second, and could hardly be easier to prepare.
Fresh Figs With Melted Cheese & Honey
Ingredients
- Fresh Figs
- Blue Cheese and/or Goat Cheese
- Good Quality Honey
- Thyme optional
Instructions
- Preheat over broiler to high, and place rack on top shelf.
- Carefully halve figs and lay them on a baking sheet covered with foil. Place a small amount of cheese (as shown) on top of each fig, then drizzle a little honey on the figs. If using, top off with thyme.
- Place baking sheet in oven, and watch carefully. Figs are done when cheese is melted and some bubbling occurs.
- I find it usually takes about 5-7 minutes, but depending on how much cheese you use and how hot your broiler is, this time may vary.
Notes
Figs enjoy a very short season in our neck of the woods, but I’ve noticed lately they’re available a bit earlier than usual. Typically I haven’t been able to find them until August, and even then only for a short time, so I was thrilled to come across them at our local supermarket (usually located near the berries) a few weeks ago. Hopefully this trend will continue and wasn’t due to a fluke with the growing season.
I brought the figs to Tanglewood, and this time I used both blue cheese and goat cheese, and concluded the blue cheese has more of a ‘bite’ than the goat, which I love. Totally a personal preference, but I’m going with the blue from now on.
While we’re on the subject of appetizers, cheese platters are always a crowd favorite, with something for everyone. I made this platter using goat cheese with peach amaretto preserves, brie with fig preserves, smoked gouda and machego. For some sweetness I added sliced pears with honey, dates, fresh figs (of course!) and glazed walnuts and pecans. A good quality sausage, melon wrapped with prosciutto, and olives round out the selections nicely. There are endless possibilities when it comes to cheese platters, but if you’d like a basic guide, check out my cheese platter post for some more ideas.
In other news…
If you’ve been following me a while, you may remember my friend Penny’s lake house, by far my favorite spot on the lake.
We recently gathered there to bid farewell to friends who are off to Colorado. (That’s their daughter and her bf on the dock. Sweet picture, don’t you think?).
The weather has been beautiful lately, and it’s safe to say we are making the most of it. I got myself a tube with some rope and I spent the afternoon the other day cruisin’ on the lake hitched to Fisherman’s boat. The only thing I’m missing is a margarita. (Elaine, where are you when I need you??).
I finally got the Fairy Garden finished (well, for now anyway. I can tell this new interest is always going to be a ‘work in progress’, but that’s part of the fun). I’ll show you what I’ve got so far next time…
Sharing At
Emily says
Yum, the food looks so delicious Doreen. I will print this recipe and try it. My dad always loved making fig preserves and boy were they delicious and I sure miss them. Love your cheese tray, a great way to entertain! Love, love the pic of you in the “tube” and i wish I could join you, looks like a great way to stay cool.
Have a great weekendβ¦..
ana@carpe_diem says
I have a lot of figs in my garden, we eat them fresh or dried. But, so far, we never used any cheese. Will try, definitly!
Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse says
I love fresh figs, I don’t have a tree, but a neighbour has and I get some from him… But there’s a high price to pay… He tells you all his life before giving you figs… I say it’s worth it for fresh figs!
Cathy, 1929 Charmer Cottage says
I’ve so seldom eaten figs? Your appetizer looks delicious. Your cheese tray looks good too…mind if I take a piece!
kelly says
You look so cute in your tube!!! That sounds like fun too. Your friends lake house is wonderful! I love the view they have. I know you will gasp when you hear this, but I have never eaten a fig! Not that I know of anyway. The closest thing to it is a fig newton (cookie). ha! So, I’m trying to imagine what they taste like. I just didn’t grow up eating them so I’ve not really given them much thought. But, it sounds like I should give them a try!
Amy says
I love figs, and love blue cheese, so, yes, I’ll be trying this. Everything on your table looks delish, and love that you even brought fresh flowers to what I’m assuming is your Tanglewood pre-concert tailgating party! I can’t imagine a more relaxing way to spend the afternoon then in a raft on the lake. Love that photo of you! Pinning the figs recipe! And thank you so much for linking up at Best of the Weekend!
Jan Kibbe says
Our children grew up camping on Otis Reservoir. They would envy the kids being towed around on tubes. My husband got a couple of big truck tire tubes. We connected a rope to our little Snark sailboat, hauled the tube up close to the boat, let the rope go slack, caught the wind, the rope would get tighter and tighter until SNAP, the tube would be tugged along for a bit. Repeat the process over and over for many laughs! Thanks for bringing that memory back through your photo, Doreen!
Donna says
Love this Doreen
The hitch to the fisherman looks like fun! You go girl.
denise says
Yum, yum, yum. We have several fig trees. My husband’s the farmer/gardener. His favorite figs are Violet de Bordeaux. I take the figs, slice wedges, add goat cheese, wrap each wedge in prosciutto and drizzle reduced balsamic. Add toothpicks and devour!!! xxDenise
Cindy says
Hi GF, now you must figure I am a fig lover. What Italian girl isn’t? I don’t think I have had with blue cheese. Mascarpone yes with honey. Love me a good chess platter. You look cute in the tube. Fairy gardens are big, can’t wait to see yours
Cindy
Mary-the boondocks blog says
Doreen, this is the perfect recipe at the perfect time. I have a few giant fig trees at the farm. I usually just eat them right off the tree but now that you have given me an option I will definitely have to try this. Glad to see you having such a great time at the lakehouse.
Marilyn @ Pink Paper Cottage says
I must admit too that I’ve never had the pleasure of eating a fresh fig! I never grew up with them either and my mom never served them! Only in a fig Newton have I tasted fig, which I do love. My hubby says they are wonderful. I’ll have to try to find some fresh ones but in Oregon, I don’t think I’ve seen any at the stores or produce stands. All of your foods on the cheese platter look so good…. I’m getting awfully hungry! Having friends who live on a lake must be heavenly… the tire trip too looks like a great way to spend the day! Glad you are enjoying the summer and taking full advantage of wonderful weather.
AnnMarie says
I absolutely love figs in baked goods but have never had them fresh. Our local grocery store has to have them…they have everything. I have to try this recipe. I sounds like all that I love all in one yummy place!
Debbie - MountainMama says
Figs and Gorgonzola is one of my all time favorite combos!!!! These look great – as do you, my friend!
Jane says
So great to catch up with you, Doreen…I’ve been a lout this spring and summer, bear with me.
Figs…I keep Pinning various ways to make them and as you wrote, they have a short season, especially here where they aren’t locally grown. I can get them now and your way of making them as well as that fantastic platter is outstanding!
Love how your summer is going…fun with friends, time on the water. Love the pic of you on the tube…you are so gorgeous, lady. Please let me look this good when I get around to putting on a bathing suit—-someday!! π
Jane
Cindi says
Oh! I love the photos here!
Everything is so pretty and colorful.
I too, have never eaten a fig, discounting Newtons of course.
and the photos of the lake and you in the tube!
OMG, it all makes me smile.
π
XOXOXO
Pondside says
I’m so happy to have ‘met’ you through Ms Toody Goo Shoes and even happier to follow now that I know where you are. Thanks to Amy I am the biggest purchaser of fig preserves on Vancouver Island – and now, after reading your post I am sure to be looking for fresh figs!
Kim says
Your tube on the water looks awesome. I do the same thing in my pool. Although it’s not as relaxing with kids jumping on and all around me…and I have a confession. The only figs I have ever had are in Newton cookies. π
Jemma says
I love figs, cheese and honey so I just know how much I would adore this very pretty and tasty appetizer!
You are so cute and brave too:)
We need to be doing some stuff like you…you are embracing life Doreen and that is super cool!
xo
Jemma
Vashti Q says
Hi Doreen! I hope you had a great weekend! I love the idea of figs with cheese and honey. I’m a little scared of blue cheese, so I’ll start with just a little blue cheese and mostly goat cheese which I love. That cheese platter is to die for, and I’m going to copy it exactly (well, I’ll try) next time I have friends over. Definitely a post worth pinning! π
Dewena says
I don’t believe I’ve ever tasted a fresh fig but really want to now after reading how much you love them and seeing these pictures. I can’t really imagine how they taste–anything like a fig newton?
Your cheese board is gorgeous!
Love to you,
Dewena
P.S. I told my sisters when they were here this weekend that I would send them a link to your blog to get acquainted with you. That you might be visiting us next year on your meanderings through Florida.
handmade by amalia says
The figs look amazing as does the cheese platter. Summer really is the best season for fun entertaining.
Amalia
xo
Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow says
Your food looks delicious and YOU look about 10 years old in your tube π
tammy j says
oh good grief charlie brown!
I think you may have just out martha’ed MARTHA. LOLOL!
the figs… the cheese board… the friend’s lake house… the pictures…
exquisite.
and YOU in the float. LOL. the perfect ending to a perfect post.
can you tell i’m living vicariously? I try not to. but hey.
if it helps this flat-land-locked dried up over heated soul…
and it DOES.
alas. we can’t ALL be pioneer woman.
β₯
Karen@ Beatrice Euphemie says
Love the recipe for the fig appetizers, Doreen, and that cheese platter is wonderful! So nice to spend a lovely time with good friends at that beautiful lake house, too. Such a sweet photo of the young couple by the lake π You look so happy and relaxed cruising around in your inner-tube! Life is so good in the summertime! Hugs xo Karen
Julie says
Hi Doreen, I never really liked figs until my friend made them like you made them except not baking them! Now I will only eat the with the blue cheese and honey! I love that appetizer player too! You look like you are having so much fun in the tube! We used to do that too each summer! I lived one minute from the beach on Long Island!! Us LI girls!! Lol! Have a great weekend.
Julie
Pinky says
I feel like a dinosaur, I have never had a fig! So, I have to ask, how do you eat them? Do you scoop out the flesh (along with the cheese and honey)?? I want to try this it looks SO good! Love the lake pics too. Glad you got a tube!!!
Carrie@northwoods scrapbook says
Hi Sweetheart!
Sorry I’ve been so behind, but we’re having lots of fun up here with a favorite sweet and special Uncle. Hope to be more on track next week.
You’re speaking my language with these figs!! Yummy!! A BF of mine has a bday around the same time I do and it’s our tradition to go to this special cafe that’s quite a ride away through beautiful scenic country (and it’s in the Fall) and they have something similar to this as an appetizer and we almost always get it! I need to start making it myself and now I feel confident to do so. So thanks for that my Friend! π
I can’t wait to see fairy garden progress! Love it love it love it! And you in that adorable hat in the pontoon- I can’t even – you are too darn CUTE!!!! I’ll just pretend I floated up next to you with those margaritas. π
Blessings Babes. xoxo
Red Rose Alley says
The figs sure do look Yummy, Doreen. And the tomatoes and cheese platter look delicious as well. I haven’t had figs in such a long time, and I really like them. Your friend’s lake house is gorgeous, and this is such a cute picture of you. It belongs on the fridge. : )
Have a wonderful week ahead, Doreen.
~Sheri
Valerie says
Now if we could just pick up that whole platter and deck and bring it over to my house I will be super happy. Yummy.