Just before being served at book club. The photos without the balsamic drizzle looked slightly better, but the balsamic really makes it!
I love figs, but I honestly never tried a fresh fig until I moved to California. As a kid, I ate a lot of Fig Newtons, but I don’t think I had any clue what a real fig fruit actually looked like! A few years ago, I remember going into work one day and a co-worker had brought in a bowl of fresh figs from his fig tree, and I was obsessed. They are great to just snack on, but they are also amazing when paired with tangy and acidic flavors. Try making fig and goat cheese bites, add them to a salad with toasted nuts, or enjoy them over some greek yogurt with a drizzle of honey and sea salt for a satisfying dessert!
Here is a super simple fig recipe that is a real crowd pleaser when served as an appetizer at a dinner party. It’s bursting with flavor, yet it couldn’t be easier to prepare!
Ingredients
(serves 8)
8 slices whole grain fresh bread, about ½-in. thick, grilled or toasted
8 large ripe figs, thinly sliced
½ cup whole-milk ricotta cheese
3 tbsp aged balsamic vinegar
3 tbsp good quality olive oil
Flaky sea salt, like Maldon
Directions
With the delicious balsamic drizzle :)
Grill or toast the bread slices
Once cooled, drizzle each slice with olive oil
Spread about 1 tbsp ricotta cheese on each slice
Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top
Top with fig slices
Drizzle with balsamic vinegar
Note: The amount of cheese, olive oil, balsamic, and figs that you top your toast with depends on the size of your bread and how topping-heavy you want to go! Enjoy :)
Health Benefits of Figs:
They are an excellent source of fiber, which aids in digestion and helps relieve constipation
Figs are rich in antioxidants, which helps combat oxidative stress and slow down the aging process
Figs help boost the immune system with their natural antibacterial and antifungal properties
They are high in potassium, which helps with overall heart health and managing blood pressure
Since they are quite sweet, with high levels of natural sugar, they are best enjoyed in moderation
Sources and Additional Reading:
