Figs are here!! I LOVE fresh figs. I get so excited when I see those compartmentalized boxes filled with the beautiful purple variety or the green, all lined up in neat little rows. If they are semi-soft – ripe, unblemished with a beautiful shape and stem, I’m pretty much in heaven.
That was the case a few days ago and I made the little first course you see below. This is not so much a recipe, but a suggestion of the combination of great ingredients to make a fantastic dish. Once again, this is all about the ingredients. If the figs are great, the prosciutto from Italy (de Parma) and very thinly sliced; the English Stilton, divine; the walnuts, super fresh and toasted; great quality olive oil and balsamic vinegar; then you are set to make something truly amazing! It’s easy and you always should have the good quality ingredients on hand as much as you can – you will use less of them, because they pack more flavor and they’re most likely better for you.
FIGS WRAPPED IN PROSCUITTO – serves 2
4 fresh purple or green figs, washed, dried, stemmed and cut in half
2 slices of prosciutto
2 thin slices of English Stilton cheese, crumbled
6 toasted walnut halves, chopped (Oven “toast” at 375 degrees in a cake pan for six to eight minutes – you will probably smell them, then take them out. Toast extra to have on hand for the next time or for green beans.)
Good quality, extra virgin olive oil
Good quality balsamic vinegar, preferable aged, but not necessary
For two plates, place 4 fig halves on each. Take the slice of prosciutto and tear into 4 pieces and wrap around each fig half. Sprinkle on the Stilton and chopped walnut pieces. Drizzle with a tiny bit of olive oil (like a tsp. on each plate) and then drizzle with a tiny bit of vinegar too (a few drops). Serve immediately and listen to your guest tell you how much he/she LOVES you!
Now, we have been upstate all week, taking a little R and R. Look at this beautiful martini my husband made me!! (my kind of R and R!)
A Most Amazing Tuscan Al Fresco Dinner Party
Tangy Sorrel & Potato Soup with Bacon, topped with MOM’s Popped Lotus Seeds
Chicory salad with walnuts and parmesan
Potato Salad Winner Announced!!
Our celebration/bon voyage family dinner party
That’s just lovely, Mary Frances.
Thanks! 🙂
I’m so happy that figs are back—they’re one of my favorite foods. They’re so simple but so luxurious!
Luxurious is a good word for them!!
This is a perfect post. Lovely figs! Great suggestions and finished it off with a most refreshing martini.
Totally! Thanks!!
Just got some beautiful figs today!! I love them, never tried with prosciutto, sounds great!
The little salty with the sweet is divine! Try it and let me know how you like it!
Believe it or not, it was dinner tonight. I took those gorgeous figs and had with prosciutto and some cheese for dinner. Delicious!!!
Awright!!!! Thanks for letting us know!
That looks FANtastic! And the martini too.
You bet!!
I want some R&R like that please! Nothing better than figs hugged by prosciutto !
You’re so funny – and right!!
Oh what a beautiful combination of flavours!
It is – and it’s so simple and so delicious!!
Marvellous…simply marvellous!
🙂 🙂 🙂
Yum! Great appetizer!
It’s so simple and so delicious!
Yep!! 🙂
This is a fantastic suggestion of ingredient combination : ) One of my favs too!
We had it again last night – it’s so good!!!
I am blessed to have an enormous fig tree so I can put this recipe to good use.
Mary, c’mon over to pick some
My friend turned me on to grilling figs as well!
OMG – I’m on my way!! Yes, grilling figs is great!! Actually grilling any fruit makes it sweeter. Warm grilled fruit served with a little ice cream is my fave!