Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Goat Cheese Au Gratin With Figs in Red Wine Syrup and Rocket Salad



I know,I know- summer is gone and we are all a bit nostalgic about those wonderful sunny days and the long warm evenings.
But shall I confess something to you? - It's (early) fall and that is my favorite season.
While some of you may only love summer, I just can't help loving these beautiful October days with Mother Nature displaying the most gorgeous colors in a warm autumn light.
So what can be better than to celebrate the season with some wonderful ripe figs, red wine and pair these delights with a crispy goat cheese au gratin?
And  why not indulge this week in a delicious fall treat, just to get in the mood?
If you want to join the celebration, this is what you need:


220g goat cheese log cut into 1 1/2 cm thick slices
2  rosemary sprigs
2 ripe purple figs
250ml full bodied red wine
1/2 cup granulated sugar
The zest of 1 lemon
1 clove
1 cinnamon stick
1/2 spoonful of roasted, coarsley chopped pine nuts

For the salad dressing:
300ml extra virgin olive oil
100ml Balsamic vinegar
Salt and freshly ground pepper


Method:

For the figs in red wine syrup:
Quarter the figs. Then halve each quarter. Set aside.



Chop 1/4 fig coarsley

Pour the wine in a medium sauce pan, add sugar,spices, lemon zest and the 1/2 spoonful of chopped figs. Cook over medium heat until mixture starts to bubble.

Then lower the heat and let simmer until the mixture has reduced to half and gets a syrup consistency.
Let cool down to room temperature, then add the quartered figs.

Set aside.

Place the goat cheese slices  and the Rosemary sprigs onto a baking sheet and place under the grill.

Grill for 2 to 3 minutes or until the cheese has slightly melted and begun to brown.


To serve, place the rocket leaves on a serving plate, put goat cheese in the center and top with the figs and the wine syrup. Srinkle with the roasted pine nuts.





Serves 4. Enjoy!
See you next week.

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54 comments:

  1. Ohh tomo nota un plato super exquisito realmente irresistible,abrazos.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gracias, Rosita me allegra que le gusto el post!
      Un abrazo.

      Delete
  2. Ohhh grill the goat cheese for a few minutes - I love that technique. And the figs in red wine syrup... that makes this dish more than perfect!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Nami,
      So glad to hear you enjoyed the post!
      Have a great weekend.

      Delete
  3. Wow. What a beautifully plated dish!

    ReplyDelete
  4. My favourite things!!! You nailed it :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a beautiful salad! Goat cheese, figs, rocket ... how could it be anything but fabulous?
    By the way, I love the fall too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Beth,
      So nice to hear that you too love fall, it's such a gorgeous season.
      Glad that you liked the post.
      Have a great weekend!

      Delete
  6. Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Kiran for your kind comment!
      Have a great day.






      Delete
  7. This looks totally gorgeous! Incredibly colorful, and I know the flavor is delish. Really excellent recipe - thanks so much.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much ,John for your kind words, I really appreciate them!
      Cheers

      Delete
  8. Hi Daniela, the figs in red wine syrup looks so beautiful and amazing. This is indeed very delish and tempting. Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful day ahead :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Ivy,
      It's so nice to hear that you enjoyed the post, your kind words are always appreciated.
      Have a great day!

      Delete
  9. Hola Daniela, primero preguntarte por tus vacacciones espero que hayan sido gratas , y luego que decir de esta receta se ve uhhhhhhh deliciosa con lo que me gusta a mi el queso de cabra nunca la he probado con higos pero esa salsa se ve muy buena asi que la probare, gracias

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hola Conchi,
      muchas gracias por tu pregunta, si las vacaciones han sido ( y lo son, nos quedamos hasta la mitad de enero) estupendo. Siempre es lindo regresar a su tierra y disfrutar de la companía de familia y amigos :)
      Me alegro que te gusto la receta, espero que lo disfrutes pronto!
      Cariños

      Delete
  10. This is beautiful and would be wonderful to serve for the holidays. I love how vibrant the figs become when steeped in the simmered red wine. Great recipe and stunning photo.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Vicki, glad to hear that you enjoyed the post!

      Delete
  11. I really like figs, especially fresh ones -- this looks really lovely and quite delicious!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Couldn't agree more with you Amy, fresh figs are soo good.
      Great to hear you enjoyed the recipe!

      Delete
  12. Good lord, woman, this looks absolutely fantastic! What a flavorful, upscale dish!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Kristy,
      thanks for such a nice Feedback, you made my Blogger Day :))

      Delete
  13. My mouth is watering, Daniela. Goat cheese, fig, and red wine syrup...what a gourmet treat!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Angie, so gla to hear that you enjoyed the post!

      Delete
  14. this dish is absolutely wonderful - so elegant and beautiful and sounds absolutely delicious!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for this nice Feedback, Jenn!
      Have a great weekend.

      Delete
  15. Me encantan los higos, estoy que espero el verano con muchas ganas para poder comprarlos my frescos. esta opción de ponerlos con el queso de cabra me parece genial...tomo nota..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Que bueno Nydia que a ti también te encantan an lo higos y que te gusto el post!
      Buen domingo!

      Delete
  16. Lovely dish! Love the red hue of the figs and goat cheese is the bomb! yum!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Jeannie for this nice feedback back!
      Have a great day.

      Delete
  17. That is a fabulous combination! Lovely colors and flavors.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    ReplyDelete
  18. What a gorgeous dish - wonderful flavor combination!
    Mary x

    ReplyDelete
  19. Fall is my favorite time of the year too! I love this dish and your flavors. I can tell just by reading your recipe ingredients that this one is a winner. Have a super day. BAM

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you BAM, for such a nice feedback!
      Have a great day!

      Delete
  20. Gourmet, beautiful, and delicious. I love the combination of flavors and textures in this!

    ReplyDelete
  21. The wine syrup is so pretty with the goat cheese. I'd be happy to welcome fall with this!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Happy to hear that you enjoyed the post,Lisa!
      Cheers.

      Delete
  22. Wow Daniela, what a beautiful salad, I absolutely love the idea of the goat cheese with figs...not only pretty colors tasty as well...awesome!
    Thank you so much for the kind words, I appreciate all the support.
    Have a wonderful week my dear :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Juliana,
      So glad to hear you enjoyed the recipe!
      And about the support: you deserve it all my friend and I'm sure the blogger community is with you :)

      Delete
  23. Wow! The red wine sauce looks delicious and robust!

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  24. Such a beautiful salad. I love the colors and I can just imagine the flavor.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Dawn, glad to receive this nice feedback!

      Delete
  25. Hi Daniela, look so delightful and beautiful. Love the figs, we can only get the dried figs in Malaysia but very expensive. Nice plating, like from 5 stars hotel. :)

    Best regards.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Amelia,
      thank you so much for your kind words!
      I didn't know that it is so difficult and expensive to get fresh figs in Malysia.
      But on the other hand you have such a wonderful selection of all kind of other fruits which I've learned through your blog, it's fantastic!

      Delete
  26. Love that combo! Looks are the color of those figs

    ReplyDelete
  27. Wow!!! What an amazing appetizer, Daniela! I love both figs and goat cheese so I'd be quite happy to have this gratin!!!

    ReplyDelete

 
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