Fig, Goat Cheese, and Caramelized Onion Crostini
I’ve been breezing through my 30-by-30 requirement of preparing three new ingredients at home. Not only did I just try kale, I recently picked up some fresh figs. I’ve had fig sauces and glazes on meals out in restaurants but definitely had never even seen a fresh fig in person.
I had seen this appetizer in my Google Reader and immediately thought of it for a picnic dinner I was planning with Hubby. Anything with goat cheese or caramelized onions is good in my book. Put them both into one bite of something and I’m in heaven.
While the fig flavor didn’t dominate these little bites, you could still taste it. It was a great compliment to the caramelized onions and goat cheese. I highly recommend making this the next time you need an easy appetizer that looks and tastes quite impressive. Everything can be made ahead of time and then assembled just prior to serving.
One Year Ago: Blueberry Peach Muffins and Shrimp with Cilantro Pesto
Fig, Goat Cheese, and Caramelized Onion Crostini
Yield: 2
Ingredients:
baguette, sliced and toasted
2 onions worth of caramelized onions
12 fresh figs
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon of honey
1/3 cup water
Goat's cheese
Pepper, to taste
Directions:
Cut figs in half and scoop out the seeds and pulp with a spoon. In a small saucepan, add the fig seeds and pulp, balsamic vinegar, honey, 1/3 cup water, and a pinch of salt. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 5-10 minutes until thickened.
Spread fresh goat's cheese on toasts and top with freshly cracked black pepper. Spoon balsamic fig reduction over the goat cheese and top with caramelized onions. Add a little slice of fig to the top for presentation.
Recipe adapted from Lardon My French
I am Jen the Beantown Baker. Engineer by day and baking maven by night. Hubby serves as my #1 fan and official taste tester. We got hitched back in 2006. Barefoot. In the sand. With the waves crashing behind us. It was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. 
That looks so yummy! Can you suggest a good substitute for the cream cheese? I can’t eat dairy….. Also, can I use honey/agave in place of the sugar & corn syrup? Thanks!
beantownbaker — July 11th, 2013 @ 7:54 am
Have you tried the Tofutti “Better than Cream Cheese”? I am lactose intolerant and use that in place of cream cheese. I think the cream cheese is there to enhance the smooth texture of the ice cream. You could just leave it out if you wanted. The corn syrup is there to help it not freeze too hard. Again, you could omit it if you wanted or replace with honey. Let me know how it turns out for you with the substitutions.
I really need an ice cream maker….
beantownbaker — July 14th, 2013 @ 4:15 pm
I can’t believe I lived so long without one…
i’ve done a pistachio ice cream awhile back and it was most definitely amazing. never was into the bright green stuff as a kid, either 🙂