Appetizing Appetizer

I've had a thing for figs lately. In my recent quest for easy but delicious fig recipes, I came across this one. Doesn't this sound amazing - Crostini with gorgonzola, carmelized onions, and fig jam? YUM! Next time I host something, I'm for sure making this!

Crostini with Gorgonzola, Carmelized Onions, and Fig Jam
Yield
12 servings (serving size: 2 crostini)

Ingredients

  • Jam:
  • 1 cup dried Black Mission figs (about 6 ounces)
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • Dash of salt

  • Onions:
  • Cooking spray
  • 2 cups vertically sliced yellow onion
  • 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup water (optional)

  • Remaining ingredients:
  • 1/2 cup (4 ounces) Gorgonzola cheese, softened
  • 24 (1-inch-thick) slices diagonally cut French bread baguette, toasted (about 12 ounces)
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves

Preparation

To prepare jam, remove stems from figs. Place figs and juice in a food processor; process until figs are coarsely chopped. Place fig mixture, 2 cups water, syrup, and dash of salt in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 25 minutes or until thick. Cool completely.
To prepare onions, heat a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray over medium heat. Add onion, vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon thyme, and 1/4 teaspoon salt; cover and cook 5 minutes. Uncover and cook 20 minutes or until onion is deep golden brown, stirring occasionally. While onion cooks, add 1/2 cup water, 1/4 cup at a time, to keep onion from sticking to pan.
Spread 1 teaspoon cheese over each baguette slice. Top each slice with about 1 teaspoon onion mixture and 1 teaspoon jam. Sprinkle evenly with thyme leaves.
image+recipe/cookinglight

12 comments

carolina @ patagonia gifts said...

oooohhh I LOVE appetizers {maybe too much, that's why I don't make them very often}. this one looks delicious! thanks for the recipe!

georgia b. said...

great post! thanks for sharing this. i never had actual figs {you know, besides fig newtons coolies} until a couple of years ago. they were amazing. we ate them whole with honey and some kind of delicious soft cheese—sort of like cream cheese, but not. we drank wine with it.

it was one of the tastiest things i ever had. now i can't get enough of figs.

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

I'll pretty much eat anything with gorgonzola on it and this sounds amazing!

Simply Mel {Reverie} said...

I'm a fan of anything with figs! Delightful recipe which I plan to make this weekend! thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

This sounds absolutely delicious-not to mention that that photo is simply mouthwatering! Definitely adding this to my list of must-try recipes, thanks for sharing :)

Tina { Luphia Loves... } said...

looks so yummy!!

Thao said...

Nothing yummier than a cheese and fig combo. Nothin'. :)

Jeanna said...

I love figs! They are so super good, paired with some sort of cheese. Also - since I believe you're a Seattle native, there's an amazing app at Black Bottle in Belltown. It's bacon wrapped figs with balsamic reduction. I believe they're in their anti pasta platter. Check it out!

Lacey said...

These sounds amazing! I love appetizers...they often turn out to be the most fun to make and eat!

Jessie Cacciola said...

oooo, looks soo good. :)

Anonymous said...

oh, this is perfect! our fig tree is loaded with almost-ripe fruit and we're always looking for recipes!
glad to have found your blog!

Courtney said...

Oh my goodness, my mouth is WATERING something awful. And that photo doesn't help either. YUMMYYYY