Figs marinated in Sherry with goats cheese and basil

This recipe if for a “pintxos”, an open sandwich tapas from the Spanish Basque country.  It matches the fig flavour with that of the goats cheese – a very satisfying combination.  It can be served as a tapas dish, as a starter or as a savoury dessert.

Preparation Time: 10 Mins

Cooking Time: 3 Mins

Total Time: 70 Mins

Ingredients

For 4 servings…

4                    Figs         

1 tsp               Vinegar  - Sherry      

1 tsp               Sherry  - Pedro Ximénez         

                     Pepper  - freshly ground, black 

4 slices            Bread  - sourdough, crusty      

110 gms          Cheese  - goats, at room temperature     

1 tbs               Basil  - chiffonade    

Method

Cut the stem from each fig and slice the figs lengthwise ½ cm thick.  Lay the slices in a single layer on a plate.

In a small bowl, mix together the Sherry vinegar and Sherry and brush it on to the figs.  Sprinkle with pepper.  Let them marinate at room temperature for 1 hour.

To serve…

Lightly toast the slices of bread.  Spread one side of each slice generously with the goat cheese.  Divide the fig slices evenly among the bread slices, arranging them on top of the goat cheese.  Sprinkle with the basil.

Wine recommendations

A white wine - particularly a sweet one.

Conventional

     Jurançon doux

Interesting

     Coteau du Layon

     Riesling Vendange Tardive

     Txakoli de Getaria

Adventurous

     Crémant d'Alsace