Figs in a Blanket

We got the idea for this hors d’oeuvre by combining a few classics and then making a little ingredient substitution for the sake of a dish name. The two appetizers from which we drew inspiration are Pigs in a Blanket (mini-pork sausages/hot dogs wrapped in puff pastry) and Devils on Horseback (cheese stuffed, bacon wrapped dates). The common tie between the dishes is a wrapping of some sort and a pork product, so we wanted to preserve those two components before playing around.

From the Pigs in a Blanket, we borrowed the concept of wrapping savory morsels in puff pastry. From Devils on Horseback, we brought forward the idea of using fruit and cheese. Then, we swapped out dates for figs so the dish name would rhyme with that of one of its ancestors, and we were off to the races!

We served our Figs in a Blanket without a sauce, but we think if you’re looking for something a little more, a quick honey drizzle or a small scoop of whole grain dijon mustard on top would be great.

We paired these guys with Beet Crusted Chicken Tenders, but they would also go very well as a stand-alone appetizer or with Pork Tenderloin (most notably, Roasted Garlic Smothered Pork Tenderloin or Rosemary Roasted Pork Tenderloin)

Time: 40 Minutes

Ingredients:

• Puff Pastry
• Figs
• Chèvre goat cheese
• Optional: Bacon
• Optional: Whole Grain Mustard or Honey

Method:

• Before you begin, pull your puff pastry out of your freezer to defrost it.
• When you’re ready to cook, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F, line a baking sheet with foil, and give it a quick oil spray to prevent sticking.
• Cut your bacon into chunks, and remove fat as you like. Then, heat a small pan, and add your bacon. Cook until it browns a bit, but stop before it becomes crispy.
• Lay your puff pastry out on a large cutting board, and use a pizza cutter to cut it into ribbons.
• Place a piece of bacon on each puff pastry strip.
• Place a fig on each of your bits of bacon. For ease, it may be better to cut your figs in half so your blanket stay fully wrapped (we had a few unfurl in the oven).
• Place a little goat cheese on each bit of puff pastry too.
• Working one at a time, roll your ingredients up in the puff pastry, and place each little morsel onto your baking sheet.
• Bake for 30-35 minutes until your pastry puffs and begins to brown.
• Plate, top with any optional sauce, devour, and enjoy!