Description
Ina Garten’s fig and cheese toasts blend Mediterranean charm with rustic elegance. Creamy goat cheese, sweet fig preserves, and crisp sourdough create an irresistible appetizer perfect for intimate gatherings or sophisticated snacking.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread:
- 1 loaf (450 grams / 16 ounces) country bread, halved and sliced crosswise ⅜ inch (1 centimeter) thick
Cheese and Spread:
- 1 jar (240 grams / 8.5 ounces) good fig spread, such as Dalmatia
- 225 grams / 8 ounces plain creamy cheese, such as goat cheese or cream cheese
Garnish and Seasoning:
- 2 ripe fresh figs, halved and thinly sliced lengthwise
- Microgreens, for garnish
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Syrupy balsamic vinegar, for drizzling
Instructions
- Prepare bread slices by cutting them into even, uniform pieces and toasting them until golden brown and crispy in a toaster or under the broiler at 350°F (175°C).
- While bread is still warm, generously spread premium fig jam or preserves across each toast, ensuring complete and even coverage.
- Remove soft goat cheese or cream cheese from refrigerator and microwave in a microwave-safe bowl for 30 to 45 seconds, stirring midway to achieve a smooth, spreadable consistency around 70°F (21°C).
- Carefully layer the warmed cheese over the fig spread, creating a delicate, creamy surface that allows glimpses of the underlying fig layer.
- Slice fresh figs thinly using a sharp knife, arranging the translucent pieces artfully across the cheese layer to create an elegant, visually appealing texture.
- Enhance the flavor profile by delicately sprinkling flaky kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper across the prepared toasts.
- Cut each toast diagonally into bite-sized triangular pieces for convenient serving and elegant presentation.
- Finish by drizzling high-quality aged balsamic reduction in a light, artistic pattern and garnish with fresh microgreens or tender herb leaves.
- Allow toasts to rest at room temperature for 2-3 minutes before serving to optimize flavor melding and temperature.
Notes
- Select premium fig spread for maximum flavor depth, ensuring each bite bursts with rich, sweet complexity.
- Warm goat cheese carefully to reach perfect spreadable consistency without losing its delicate texture.
- Gently toast sourdough or rustic bread until edges are golden and crisp, creating ideal base for delicate toppings.
- Slice fresh figs with precision, creating paper-thin rounds that showcase their natural elegance and blend seamlessly with creamy cheese.
- Drizzle aged balsamic reduction sparingly, allowing its tangy notes to complement without overpowering the delicate ingredients.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Toasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 of 6 toasts
- Calories: 448
- Sugar: 31.1g
- Sodium: 563mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8.3g
- Carbohydrates: 66.9g
- Fiber: 4.5g
- Protein: 15.4g
- Cholesterol: 29.6mg