BACON-WRAPPED STUFFED FIGS

Sweet and salty, bacon and cheese, and juicy fresh figs????  Who’s going to resist that?  The perfect room-temp appetizer—although a temptation to call this dinner!  Fresh figs may need to have some fruit removed from center to make room for the goat cheese filling.  For winter parties, use plumped up dried figs—works just fine.  Recipe makes about 2 dozen stuffed figs.

• 2 dozen figs
• 8 strips of thin sliced bacon cut into thirds
• 3-4 oz package of goat cheese
• 1 tsp each: finely chopped rosemary, fresh or dried thyme, dried sage
• Garlic powder to taste

Mix goat cheese with herbs and garlic powder.  Slit figs top to bottom on one side—make enough room for filling.  Stuff with cheese, wrap with 1/3 bacon slice and secure with toothpick.  Place seam side down on parchment lined baking sheet.  Bake in pre-heated 375’ oven for 15-20 minutes until bacon is crisp.  Cool and drain on paper towels. 

The Kitchen Hive