It's FIG-alicious!
Marc J. Sievers
Like many of you, I have been enjoying farmer's markets all summer! This time of year Black Mission Figs are just about everywhere. They have a very delicate texture, small crunchy seeds, a sweet-earthy flavor, and a vibrant pink-colored interior. I recently wrote a recipe for BlendAbout.com highlighting these delicious figs in my Fig & Stilton Salad recipe. The response was so great that I wanted to write two more recipes showcasing this beautiful fruit and very similar ingredients, showing you how layering ingredients in different ways can create a whole new dish!
Since I love rustic and earthy food I wanted to create a bruschetta with figs. I started out with some of my favorite ingredients like baguette, basil, and Spanish onions. After a few rounds of testing (and eating!), my recipe for Rustic Fig Bruschetta was finished! It’s loaded with caramelized onions, garlic, Stilton, figs, and some other lip-smacking ingredients!

Next, I wanted to create a canapé that would be perfect for a summer cocktail soirée with champagne, of course! Since the interior of a fig is so beautiful, I wanted to showcase both the color and texture. I always keep my favorite black pepper water crackers on hand, and I knew instantly that I wanted to balance the slightly spicy cracker with a bit of sweetness and fresh flavors. My Fresh Fig Canapé is both visually beautiful and flavorful, it’s sure to be a smash (darling) at your next gathering.
I hope my recipes for Fig & Stilton Salad, Rustic Fig Bruschetta, and Fresh Fig Canapé show you that it only takes a few fresh and quality ingredients to prepare beautiful, elegant, and simple dishes! Next week I have some FABULOUS breakfast dishes to share with you! How does Orange Custard French Toast and Orange Summer Pound Cake with Dark Chocolate Glaze sound?! See you in a week! Sending love from my kitchen to yours!
Rustic Fig Bruschetta
Ingredients (serves 4)
- Spanish onion – 1 ½ cups, thinly sliced
- Olive Oil – 2 tablespoons, divided
- Butter – 2 tablespoon, unsalted
- Sugar – 1 teaspoon, granulated
- Garlic – 4 cloves, roughly chopped
- Sea Salt – ¼ teaspoon
- Black Pepper – ½ teaspoon, freshly cracked
- Black Mission Figs – 5 medium, cut ¼-inch thick
- Honey – 1 tablespoon
- Demi baguette – cut in half length-wise
- Basil – ¼ cup, freshly chopped
- Stilton – 1/3 cup, crumbled
Directions
- Start by heating the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a 12-inch sauté pan set over medium-low heat.
- Add the onions, and cook for 20-22 minutes or until the onions are very tender and caramelized.
- Next, add the salt, pepper, sugar, and garlic and cook for an additional minute, being very careful not to burn the garlic. Remove from the heat and set aside.
- Preheat the broiler.
- Using the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter, evenly butter each cut-side of the baguette. Place prepared baguette onto a baking sheet.
- Place under the broiler and cook until golden brown on top, about 2 to 4 minutes.
- Remove from the broiler and set aside.
- Lastly, layer each half of the baguette with the onion mixture, cut figs, and Stilton. Evenly drizzle with honey.
- Place under the broiler again, until the cheese is nicely melted, about 1 to 3 minutes. The edges of the bread can burn easily, so make sure to keep your eye on it.
- Lastly, remove from the broiler and top with fresh basil.
- Cut into large pieces and serve immediately.
Fresh Fig Canapé
Ingredients (serves 10 - three per person)
- Black Mission Figs – 8 medium, cut ¼-inch thick
- Stilton – ½ -inch sized crumbles, 30 total pieces
- Basil – 30 small fresh leaves
- Dark Chocolate – 1/3 cup, freshly grated
- Black Pepper Water Crackers – 30 (plain water crackers will also work)
- Black Pepper – for garnish, freshly cracked
- Honey Comb – ½-inch sized pieces, 30 total (regular honey will also work)
Directions
- Simply layer each cracker with a slice of fig, a piece of Stilton, a piece of honey comb, a basil leaf, a small pinch of black pepper, and top with a sprinkling of dark chocolate.
- Arrange on a silver platter or flat board.
- Expand recipe as needed.