[ratings]

It’s hard not to love figs.  They have a very delicate flavor, and are great as appetizers as well as desserts.  This recipe complements the fig with a mild goat cheese that gives this dish a rich flavor, and a serrano ham that gives your tongue a sharp wake-up call!

Total time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 ripe figs, rinsed and patted dry
• 1 ounce Soignon goat cheese
• 4 slices of Serrano (Spanish) ham

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 485 degrees F.
2. Cut off the stem and bottom of the figs.  From the top, cut an “X” into each fig three-quarters way down.  Stuff the “X” with goat cheese.
3. Wrap each fig with Serrano ham, and place in a heat-safe casserole or plate.
4. Bake in the oven for 8-10 minutes.
5. Serve while it’s still hot!

Cook’s Notes

• I generally serve this as an appetizer, but you can easily transform this into a light dessert by leaving the ham out, and drizzle with honey after you take it out of the oven.
• If you find yourself at the grocery store wondering which goat cheese to buy, I recommend the Sainte Maure.

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