That I get an easy chore-less weekend happens VERY rarely. But for some reason this past weekend, the stars aligned correctly and I received the gift of a more laid back weekend! Laundry, DONE! Floors, DONE! Shopping, DONE! Virtual high fives! Since I’m not used to having as much free time, I was faced with the happy problem of having to find something to do– in my SPARE TIME! Some of you are reading this with envy. If it’s any consolation, I chose to use my time and make something to share with you 🙂 Looking for some ingredients that would perhaps inspire a quick recipe, I came across my 8-oz box of figs I had just bought. By the way, I will buy figs anytime I happen upon them; they remind me of home. My little helpers hands. Can’t keep the nail polish on; too much work in the kitchen, you know 🙂 I remember my trips to the market with my daddy; putting my little hand in his and perusing the market bounty together. Mediterranean markets are colorful; lined with tents of many street merchants’. Bustling with people. Noisy with voices of vendors calling out; animated friends catching up on life; and others looking for a bargain. Bursting with aroma; I remember how the air was always fragrant with smells from that of sweet in-season fruit to fresh herbs and fried felafels! Daddy and I would walk miles and miles talking to merchants and filling our bags with fresh crop. I could tell my dad was so proud to take me around. He took great pleasure in showing me how to shop, and especially how to choose good fruit. He would hand me a fig and say something like, “Feel the fruit. Go for ripe but not too soft.” Then he would hand me a big basket saying, “Go ahead fill it up!” Figs definitely have a soft spot in my heart. But, they also make a great quick dessert. The honeyed flesh of figs, textured with little seeds, makes the perfect nest for a little ricotta cheese garnished with nuts. An awesome quick bite, if you want to try it sometime. But today, I decided to go for fig pastries with goat cheese and walnuts. Delicious! And my shortcut? Store-bought puff pastries, of course:-) After all, this is my chore-less day!
Here is the step-by-step for today’s Easy Fig Pastry Recipe
(Scroll down for the ingredients and print-friendly recipe)
Thaw one sheet of good store-bought puff pasty in the fridge for three hours or so. My one sheet broke in half, but that was just fine.
Preheat oven to 375F. Bring 4 to 5 ounces of goat cheese to room temperature. Slice figs into rounds (about 1/2″ in thickness). Roughly chop some walnuts. And also roughly chop some mint leaves (set aside for garnish).
Cut thawed puff pastry into four fairly equal rectangular pieces. Place on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Spread goat cheese on each piece of puff pastry. Top goat cheese with some good fig jam. If you don’t have fig jam, you could try a little bit of honey.
Now my little helper with tiny hands is ready to add our fresh fig slices!
Add chopped walnuts.
Lightly brush figs and pastry edges with melted butter.
Slightly turn edges of puff pastry up.
Bake in 375F for 18-20 minutes or until pastry is golden and puffy. YUMMY puffy pastry ready to devour! O, feel free to add more walnuts and chopped mint for garnish. Or not! Whatever rocks your boat 🙂
If you enjoy flaky pastries, try our phyllo pizza recipe or our phyllo meat pie. Craving more sweet and nutty options? See our Greek yogurt parfait with Kahlua and nuts and this delicious and wholesome Fig Bread! ENJOY! And please leave a comment with your thoughts on this recipe. Try these delicious recipes: 5 from 1 review How to make Falafel Roasted Asparagus Salad with Tomato and Basil Easy Puff Pastry Appetizer with Pears, Prosciutto and Goat Cheese Lebanese-Style Cinnamon Meatballs
