So my crew had an impromptu dinner party Saturday night, and I had to bring an appetizer. I've been eying this recipe for awhile, especially over the holidays, but never found the perfect occasion to make it. But I decided a small gathering of close friends wouldn't judge me if it went terribly wrong. So I made it! And it was a big hit! And, the best part, it's SO easy to make.
Pancetta Crisps with Goat Cheese & Figs
(I'm gonna give you the recipe for 12, but I made 16. However many you want to make, just get that many pancetta slices.)
12 thin pancetta slices (I had to go to the deli counter, don't get them TOO thin, though!)
12 arugula leaves
12 teaspoons goat cheese (softened)
fig jam or preserves (so I couldn't find this in Publix, but I bought some extra dried figs, blended them with water and honey and made my own fig "preserves")
6 fresh or plump dried figs, halved (I cut them in half lengthwise -- if that makes sense -- so the pretty side shows)
chopped fresh thyme
fresh ground pepper
Lay the pancetta slices on a rimmed baking sheet (I actually used a rack inside a half-sheet pan, like I make bacon, to let the grease drip down). Bake at 450 for 15-20 minutes. You want the pancetta to be crispy, but not burnt. Keep an eye on it! Cool pancetta slices. To assemble, get one pancetta crisp, spread with a little fig "preserves", top with a leaf of arugula, then a teaspoon of goat cheese, and finally lay the fig on top, pressing down a little to secure into the cheese. Sprinkle with fresh thyme and ground pepper.
ENJOY!
[Side note about the photo--there was an incident involved my camera over New Years so it's now in the camera graveyard. Therefore, until I decide to shell out for another camera, please enjoy these sketchy iPhone photos!]
Hooray for new post! Re: fig jam, I had a hard time finding this once in my grocery store too because I was looking on the jams/jellies shelf, but it turns out they keep it with the gourmet cheese case in the deli section (as opposed to the crappy cheese in the dairy section). Makes sense because it goes so well with goat cheese!
ReplyDeleteHi Janie,
ReplyDeleteThese look absolutely scrumptuous; although I too am a vegetarian. We must collaborate on catering events and do so in the near future. You've got a lot of great ideas.
BTW, thanks for following BJ's Gourmet Specialty Foods Blog.
Talk Soon!
Beverly