Grilled Figs Stuffed with Blue Cheese

When I see fresh figs I buy them. These Grilled Figs Stuffed with Blue Cheese is one of the recipes that comes to mind.

Figs are picked ripe so are fragile and don't seem to appear on any schedule where I shop. When I see them I need to decide on the spot if I'm buying them or not. They will surely be gone if I wait. Their scarcity actually makes them seem like a treat to me.

The entire fig is edible and their smooth, sweet taste pairs well with cheese, cured meats, nuts, vinegars, honey, cinnamon and cardamom, as well as herbs like rosemary and thyme. I have two favourite ways to serve fresh figs; stuffed with cheese or served on top of a pizza. With caramelized onions, roasted garlic, spinach and pine nuts it's amazing!

Buying Fresh Figs

In the produce sections I frequent I see two varieties of figs; black Mission figs and the green Kadota variety. For my everyday cooking style I buy what’s available to make this recipe, as long as they look fresh.

Is Blue Cheese Safe For A Gluten Free Diet?

The Canadian Celiac Association says blue cheese is safe for a gluten free diet on page 10 of this newsletter. The Spruce Eats has an extensive article titled Blue Cheese Is Gluten-Free: A Research Update.

Prosciutto, Pancetta or Bacon For Grilled Figs

Prosciutto, pancetta and bacon are all similar pork products that cooks often substitute for one another. But there is a difference and sometimes it is worth buying the right one for the recipe.

Bacon and pancetta are both cured but are still considered raw so they should be cooked before eating. Bacon is smoked after being cured which gives it a completely different taste. Prosciutto comes from the hind leg of the pig, the ham. It is air-dried and salt cured slowly over months or even years.

For this recipe and my everyday palate, I use prosciutto or pancetta. They do taste different but I enjoy them both but bacon is not the taste I want in this dish.

Grilled Figs Stuffed with Blue Cheese

When I see fresh figs I buy them and this recipe for Grilled Figs Stuffed with Blue Cheese is one of the ways I like to prepare them.

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Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: Canadian

Keyword: grilled figs stuffed with blue cheese

Servings: 6 people

Author: Cinde Little

Ingredients

• ▢ 12 fresh figs
• ▢ 6-12 thin slices of prosciutto, halved lengthwise if long

FILLING

• ▢ 3 oz blue cheese, crumbled or chopped
• ▢ ¼ cup walnuts, toasted and chopped
• ▢ 1 tablespoon cognac or brandy

COOKING – olive oil

FINISHING – balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze

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Instructions

• Cut a slit in each fig starting at the stem and going about ¾ of the way down.
• FILLING – In a small bowl mash cheese, nuts and cognac together.
• Gently press some filling in the middle of each fig being careful not to break it.
• Wrap each fig with prosciutto or pancetta and secure with a toothpick. Can be made in advance and refrigerated for several hours.
• GRILLING – Preheat barbecue.
• When hot lightly brush figs with oil and place on grill.
• Cook 1-2 minutes, turn once and cook another 1-2 minutes. They are ready when prosciutto has grill marks and cheese is starting to ooze out.
• SERVING – Sprinkle with balsamic vinegar or drizzle with balsamic glaze.