Roasted figs with goat's cheese, hazelnuts and chocolate balsamic glaze

Roasted figs with goat's cheese, hazelnuts and chocolate balsamic glaze is an interesting dish in that it is both sweet and savoury – although more savoury than sweet.  It also has a fascinating chocolate flavour.  The result of all this is that it can be served at either end of a meal; ie, as a starter or as a dessert.  It is attractive to serve.  It has the character of the Mediterranean but not so Middle Eastern.

Preparation Time: 10 Mins

Cooking Time: 10 Mins

Total Time: 1½ Hrs

Ingredients

For 6 servings…

6                    Figs         

For the stuffing

60 gms            Cheese  - soft goats' 

30 gms            Hazelnuts  - raosted and chopped          

½ tbs             Thyme  - leaves, chopped       

                     Pepper  - freshly ground, black 

                     Salt          

For the glaze

25 gms            Chocolate  - dark - 70% cocoa 

½ tbs             Vinegar  - balsamic   

½ tsp             Honey  - runny        

Method

Heat an oven to 180°C.

To prepare the figs…

Cut a cross on the tops of the figs - slicing halfway down them and open up them.

In a bowl, mix together the cheese, hazelnuts and thyme.  Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper and mix well.

Place a teaspoon of the cheese mixture into the cavity of each fig and place them on a baking tray.

To prepare the chocolate balsamic glaze…

Melt the chocolate in bain marie, then remove from the heat and whisk in the balsamic vinegar and honey.  Using a pastry brush, glaze the skin of the figs with the mixture.

To cook the figs…

Place the figs in the oven for five minutes, then allow them to cool.

Serve at room temperature.

Wine recommendations

A sweet white wine.

Conventional

     Coteau du Layon

Interesting

     Côtes de Gascogne doux

     Graves Supérieures

     Jurançon doux

     Sauternes