Pair with 2017 MacRostie Sparkling Brut Rosé.

SERVES 4-6

Fresh fig jam atop warm goat cheese. Great for dipping and sharing with friends!

Ingredients

Baked Goat Cheese

• 1, 8 oz log fresh goat cheese
• 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 cup spiced fig compote (recipe below)
• fresh thyme or rosemary
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans or almonds
• flaky sea salt

Spiced Fig Compote

• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup water, add more if your jam is too thick or dry
• 5 strips of lemon peel
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1/4 teaspoon cardamom
• 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 pound dried figs, halved

Directions

1. To make the Baked Goat Cheese: Preheat the oven to 375° F. While preheating, place your goat cheese in the freezer. This will make it easier to slice! Remove your goat cheese from the freezer and cut into ½-inch thick rounds. Place goat cheese rounds in an oven-safe dish like a small cast iron skillet. Drizzle olive oil on top of goat cheese. Spoon fig compote around the goat cheese slices. Sprinkle with chopped pecans or almonds and fresh thyme or rosemary. Bake for 15-18 minutes until bubbling and warmed through. Remove from your oven and sprinkle flaky salt on top. Serve with crackers of your choice!
2. For the Spiced Fig Compote: Bring honey, water, lemon peel, and spices to boil in a medium saucepan. Add figs, cover, and simmer until the figs are broken down and tender. Mix often and watch the consistency of the jam during this time. Depending on how dry your figs are, you may need to add more water. It also helps when you’re mixing to mash the figs to help them break down more quickly. Continue cooking for 30 – 60 minutes. When the mixture reaches desired consistency, taste and adjust the seasoning to your preference. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature before storing.

Note: If you do not want to make your own fig compote feel free to substitute a store-bought option.