Wine + Herbs: Serrano-Wrapped Figs with Blue Cheese

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Photo by Povy Kendal Atchison

Pair It With: A Sparkling Wine

Serves 6

• 10 fresh figs (black mission or brown turkey), stems removed
• 5 ounces blue cheese (such as Rogue Smoky Blue), split into 10 portions
• 10 fresh sage leaves
• 1?3 cup aged balsamic vinegar
• 10 thin slices Serrano ham, about 1?2 inch wide and 2 inches long
• Short decorative skewers (if using wood, soak in water for 10 minutes first)

1. Slice figs vertically from the top almost to the bottom, but leave them intact at the bottom. Insert a dollop of blue cheese into the center, and press closed. Roll each fig in balsamic vinegar, then press a sage leaf on one side and wrap the ham around the fig. Slide a short skewer through the middle to keep it together, and pour any remaining vinegar over them.

2. Heat a grill or grill pan to medium-high, and grill each fig about 2 minutes per side. Serve warm.

Tabitha Alterman is the food editor at Mother Earth News and Natural Home magazines. She wonders if a small-fishbowl-sized glass counts as ONE glass of wine.

Click here for the main article, 50 Ways to Pair Wine with Herbs.

  • Published on Jan 13, 2011
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