My neighbor Ellie is known in our home for her yummy fig appetizers!
And just when I’m trying to figure out what to serve for dinner, she shows up with a plate of this goodness … perfect timing!
She has a fig tree, so she’s creative with figs and using them up. Last week we received a plate, covered with foil …
And it was so beautiful, I had to find a white platter, a perfect garage presentation!
The taste was … divine!
Thank you, Ellie, for sharing your yummy recipe with us! And for your neighborly love!
Fig and Walnut Tapenade with Goat Cheese
(Recipe for the very top photo)
1 cup chopped figs
1/3 cup chopped pitted Kalamata olives or other brine-cured black olives
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon drained capers, chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
Two 5.5-ounce logs soft fresh goat cheese
1/2 to 1 cup chopped toasted walnuts
Baguette, sliced and toasted (or crackers)
Coarsely chop figs. Mix in olives, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, capers, and chopped thyme. Season tapenade to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be made 3 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before serving.)
Spread cheese on toasted baguette slices. Stir chopped walnuts into tapenade; spoon onto center of cheese. Also good served with crackers instead of bread.
This recipe serves about 20!
The difference between a date and a fig?
While growing up, my Mom always made brownies with dates! I don’t remember her cooking with figs …
Figs grow on a fig tree and taste best fresh. Dates grow on a date palm in more warm environments. Dried figs in the store are generally imported.
I’d love to hear if you cook with fresh figs? Or dates?
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
I have a fig tree and never know what to do with all the figs so thank you for sharing this!
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I love figs! Those look so good.
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It looks & sounds delicious! I've never cooked with either, but my Grandmother always made fig preserves from their fig tree.
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Okay. I'll confess that I really don't like figs. But IF I DID, the appetizer looks yummy!
Hope you have a great day Sandy!
pk @ Room Remix
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Oh that does look delicious. A few years ago Dear and I were at a boutique hotel in Denver and we had the best fig and goat cheese pizza. We've been trying to duplicate that taste since and I think this might just do it :0)
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Fresh figs are grown here by a lot of my friends….I will so give you recipes if you want. Thee is NOTHING like fresh figs. Expensive in the stores….so good for you though and great if someone gives them to you! I'll be back! Got to find my friend's recipes! This one looks like a real good one for sure!
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i just posted about a fig galette i made just a couple of weeks ago…so delicious! hard to find them fresh around here, tho.
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I have never done anything with figs…
Hoping your remodel is done soon before the cold weather sets in too much
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Oh yeah! Figs and goat cheese. It can't miss. Why didn't I think of that???
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Looks great! I've never cooked with figs-don't think I've ever even had a fig! But I have baked with dates, lots.
How wonderful for good friends who share good food.
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I have never cooked with figs, but now I just might have to give it a try.
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My parents have a couple of fig trees. The fruit always come ripe at a busy time of the year, so they freeze them in gallon bags. Later, during fall and winter months when there isn't so much to do outside, they get them out and make fig preserves out of them. Fig preserves on homemade biscuits is a southern delicay!
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I can't remember the last time I ate a fig….I'm thinking I'd better get some to try! That looks absolutely delish!
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Sandy, sounds delish! I only make one thing with figs & that's a fig cake that is yummy. Hope you can join the recipe party. xoxo
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I have never cooked with figs…BUT you almost make me want too!!!
sandy toe
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I've never had a fig. Hmmmm…perhaps I need to branch out.
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