Warm Figs with Goat Cheese, Pistachios and Balsamic Glaze
Warm Figs with Goat Cheese, Pistachios and Balsamic Glaze offer a complex balance of flavors with minimal preparation. The natural sweetness of fresh figs pairs with the tart creaminess of goat cheese, while toasted pistachios provide a necessary textural contrast. A final drizzle of balsamic glaze ties the components together with a sharp, tangy finish.
Table of contents
Ingredients
- Balsamic vinegar
- Ripe figs
- Goat cheese
- Pistachios
If you’re fig fan, lucky enough to have a fig tree or know a fig tree owner then you’re in luck!
This is not a baked figs recipe, but they are warmed a little under the broiler (oven grill for my U.K. friends) which helps to also warm the goat cheese and it browns a little just to increase the flavor and taste better warm or room temperature.
Fig and goat cheese
Have you ever tried the magic combination of black Mission figs with tangy goat cheese? The contrast between the sweetness of the figs and the creamy richness of a soft goat cheese is quite irresistible.
Fig Varieties
The most popular types of figs are black Mission, Brown Turkey (which look similar) and green skinned figs like Adriatic and Kadota. Any of these common fig types can be used for this recipe.
Choosing the Perfect Fig
For the most delicious flavor, using ripe figs is essential. Here’s how to tell if yours are ready to enjoy:
- The Gentle Squeeze: Give your figs a light squeeze. Ripe figs will have a slight give, but shouldn’t feel mushy. You don’t want overly squishy figs.
- Look and Feel: Ripe figs will have a plump and slightly wrinkled appearance. They should also feel soft to the touch, but not bruised.
Balsamic Glaze: A Versatile Sweet and Tangy Sauce
Balsamic vinegar is a pantry staple, but its uses extend far beyond salad dressings! Here’s where balsamic glaze comes in: a magical ingredient made by simmering balsamic vinegar until it thickens into a rich, syrupy sauce.
It can be used as a marinade (as I did for my Balsamic Rosemary Roasted Pork Tenderloin). It’s perfect as a finishing sauce, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze adds a touch of sophistication to my Grilled Flatbread with Figs, Prosciutto and Arugula.
Balsamic Glaze Hack
If you don’t want to take the time to make your own balsamic glaze, there are many high-quality store-bought options available
The Many Ways to Enjoy Figs with Goat Cheese
- Appetizer Perfection: Serve them whole, like in this photo, for an elegant and impressive presentation. Their upright posture makes them easy to pick up and enjoy.
- Sliced and Diced: For a more casual approach, slice the figs in half (as pictured below). This format works beautifully in salads, adding a delightful burst of sweetness and contrasting textures.
Not a Fan of Goat Cheese? No Problem!
While the classic combination is goat cheese and figs, this recipe is all about flexibility. Here are some delicious substitutions to create your perfect bite:
- Spread the Love: Cream cheese offers a milder and tangier alternative, while blue cheese adds a bold and funky kick.
- Sweeten the Deal: Want to enhance the natural sweetness of the figs? A drizzle of honey or maple syrup adds a touch of floral or mapley goodness.
- Nutty Variations: While pistachios are a classic choice, feel free to explore other chopped nuts like walnuts, pecans, or pine nuts. Each nut adds its own unique flavor profile, so have fun experimenting!
If you’ve made my Warm Figs with Goat Cheese, Pistachios and Balsamic Glaze, please leave a star rating. You can also leave a comment or ask a question below.
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Warm Figs with Goat Cheese, Pistachios and Balsamic Glaze
Video
Ingredients
- 12 ripe figs, washed
- 1 cup (236 ml) balsamic glaze
- 12 teaspoons goat cheese
- ¼ cup (26 grams) shelled pistachios, roasted and unsalted
Instructions
- Position oven rack to the upper part of the oven, preheat broiler/oven grill.
- Remove the stem of the figs. Cut a deep 'X' on the top ¾ of the way down (without cutting all the way to the bottom) and open slightly. Make sure they can all stand-up on their own. If not, trim a little off the bottom to make them flat.
- Add 1 teaspoon of goat cheese into the center of the figs. If they are on the small side, you may need less.
- Broil/oven grill the figs for about 5 minutes or until the cheese starts to bubble and brown.
- Remove from the oven and top with pistachios and drizzle with the balsamic glaze. Serve warm.
&nbs
I’ve been waiting to try this my Trader Joes finally had figs. They didn’t have any pistachios so I used pecans and this is a very good dish, the creamy goat cheese is so good with the slightly sweet figs.
I love pecans too, I’m glad you liked it.
Can you use dried figs? I can’t find fresh near me
I used fresh figs for this recipe. I have not tried it with dried because they are baked I’m not sure it would work.
I have a modified version I tried using dried fig placed into boiling water removed pot from heat after 5 minutes let them reabsorb the water for 15 minutes. Drained water and cooled in refrigerator to use the next day
I then cut the stems off them and used my fingertip to open the inside up without tearing the sides. I mixed chopped parsley and fine chopped walnuts into the creamy chevre/feta and since my piping bag would not cooperate I finger stuffed the mix into the figs placing them in an olive oil sprayed pan to cook. I then decided for decoration I took walnut halves and placed one into the feta mix on top.. before cooking yummy. After cooking I tried some basaltic reduction glass on top of some…I’ll admit it is a nice added flavour but I’m not a huge balsamic fan since a french quarter restaurant in New Orleans served me a ice creme sunday with balsamic reduction, since then I avoid all but a little balsamic in my cooking and salad dressings. And for that chef I say…”NO BALSAMIC REDUCTION DOES NOT TASTE LIKE CHOCOLATE SYRUP!”
Incredibly easy to make, decadent and addicting! I used Trader Joe’s balsamic sauce (like a reduction) and made these as a snack three days in a row in under 10 minutes in my toaster oven.
Using store bought balsamic glaze is a great shortcut
Has anyone actually made this recipe??? I’m going to give it 5 stars ONLY because it’s not fair to select none if I’ve never tried it.
Yes, there are feedback comments on 3 different Pinterest pins along with pictures. You can find them here:
1. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/313985405249246693/
2. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/56787645280973540/
3. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/22025485661898671/
This is a stunning recipe and I can’t wait for fig season.
Thank you Jan, I hope you try the recipe.
This appetizer looks fabulous! I love fresh figs and goat cheese! I’ve made something similar in the past topped with toffee. It was such a yummy dessert.
I am with you! I always get excited for fig season. These figs look amazing. I have never put pistachios in a fig recipe, so, this will be very interesting to make.
I love this idea with the balsamic drizzle. Fabulous.
We actually have a fig tree so I am always looking for good gig recipes!! Thank you for this amazing sounding one!!
Rebecca, I’m jealous of your tree
My grandfather calabrese, had trees and for years we dug them up wrapped them an buried them upside down in cleveland ohio for winter. As a child I got hit with a stick on a regular basis stealing fresh figs from the trees to eat them. I miss my grandfather and his humour when hed hit me knowing I was honoring his tree production by stealing fresh figs to eat.
Dear Janette, these are beautiful. What a wonderful appetizer…so elegant. xo, Catherine
These are so gorgeous and look so delicious!
I love figs with cheese but never did balsamic glaze with them. A new recipe to try.
Oh wow, now this is a showstopper!
I LOVE figs and this recipe looks amazing!
I LOVE fresh figs and your dish looks outrageous Janette!
This is simple, elegant and sounds scrumptious.
Figs are in season right now in Greece and these little bites are the best appetizers!
I am in the need of a fun appetizer for next week. I am totally going to try this!
Wow, all the good things in one delicious recipe, I KNOW I’d love this!
It’s a great idea this. Healthy too. My only grip is not being able to find fresh figs here where we live. 🙁
What a beautiful appetizer! I can’t wait to serve these to guests or make for a date night in.
Perfect flavour combination! Fresh figs with a good cheese and balsamic can never do any wrong.
I have never purchased a fig before but am much more inclined now since you’ve shared this fabulous way to eat them!
Ok! I will get some figs and make this. I always for get about figs and we love them. This dish is too good to pass up!
Oh my, Janette. These are stunning! I adore the last photo of the figs – looks like a painting. This is such a simple yet elegant treat – always the best! I may have to jump my neighbors fence and steal some of his figs for this one 😉
Brilliant flavor combination and beautiful pictures!
Absolutely beautiful!
This is such a cool idea! Love this salad! Will be getting some figs later today and will try it!