Ingredients

The following ingredients have 40 Servings
  • 2 11-ounce logs of goat cheese
  • 14 dried mission figs, woody stems cut off, halved lengthwise, then cut crosswise into 1/4-inch slices.
  • 1/4 cup dry sherry
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 large Spanish onions, halved and thinly sliced
  • 10 garlic cloves, pressed through a garlic press or finely minced
  • 3 sprigs of fresh rosemary (3-4 inches long)
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Baguettes, thinly sliced, or crackers
  • For gluten-free, serve with gluten-free crackers, endive leaves, or sliced pears tossed in lemon water to prevent browning.

Instruction

  • Crumble the goat logs into a small oven-safe baking vessel (ideally, something that can go from oven to table).
  • Put sliced figs in a small saucepan along with the sherry and a little water, to cover. Bring to a boil and remove from heat, and let the figs steep while you sauté the onions. The dried figs will plump and absorb the flavor of the sherry.
  • Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions, garlic, rosemary sprigs, salt and pepper. Sauté, stirring often, for 10-12 minutes, until onions are lightly browned. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the figs to the onion mixture and stir through (the soaking liquid is not needed). Remove any thick woody rosemary stems. Let the onion mixture cool for ten minutes or so and then heap it on top of the goat cheese. At this point you can cover and refrigerate the dish for up to 24 hours. When you are ready to serve it, let it sit at room temp for 1/2 hour before continuing.
  • Bake, uncovered, for 20 minutes or until the cheese is hot and starting to bubble at the edges. Serve warm.
  • To serve: Either set out the baking dish on a trivet with a serving utensil, surrounded by baguette slices or crackers; or make bruschetta by topping baguette slices or crostini with the fig and goat cheese mixture (see notes below, for a tip on making bruschetta).