figs & prosciutto

This combination of figs and Prosciutto might be one of my favorite summer bites.
Quick to come together and easy to serve.  Every chef and cook I know is making some variation of this at this time of year. The only difficulty I usually have, is grabbing them at the Farmer's Market in the short window of time they are available. This summer it seemed they were only around for a couple of weeks - and only being sold by a few farmers. 
I, of course, scooped up whatever I could get my hands on and served them every chance I had. 

This appetizer started our most recent TK dinner.

I did some with Goat cheese and some with Parmesan cheese. I like both although usually I prefer the hard cheese. These were pan fried in the one non-stick pan I own (was just easier) Then finished with a drizzle of wildflower honey, fresh pepper and thyme.

Easy.

Delicious.

YOU WILL NEED:

Figs

Prosciutto

Goat cheese or Parmesan cheese

Honey

Fresh thyme

Pepper

TO DO:

Slice all the figs in half lengthwise.

Slice all your prosciutto so you have long thin pieces.

Pick your cheese then put a small piece right in the center of each fig.

Wrap each fig/cheese segment with Prosciutto.

Pan to medium/medium high heat.

Place several bites in the hot pan with the seam side down.

Doing this side first helps to keep the fig wrapped and everything looking pretty.

Cook just until the prosciutto is crisp. 

Then flip and cook the other side.

Remove to a plate lined with a paper towel.

When ready to serve, arrange as many pieces as you can onto your serving platter.

Drizzle with a scant amount of honey.

Add pepper then finish with the thyme leaves.

Enjoy.

The following photo I am adding because these were the tiniest, cutest figs I've ever seen! Probably about the size of cippolini onions. So cute!

Pound Cake and Berry Compote

I did make this pound cake. But honestly, I think one purchased from your local bakery will work just fine.



I probably should not call this a compote since I skipped the whole step of making the simple syrup and adding vanilla or any other flavorings. This is basically a cup and a half of fresh berries - zest from 1 lemon and juice from half the lemon - then 1 tablespoon of sugar (more or less depending on your tastes) Put all ingredients in a small saucepan and cook on low heat just until the liquid looks syrupy (I think thats a word?) Immediately remove from heat - pour over a slice of pound cake - add whipped cream (I forgot that part) serve immediately.

Quick and tasty

Fresh Tomato Salad with Marinated Mozzarella

There is really no reason for posting this other than the fact that it was super pretty...Super delicious....and anything involving cheese balls has to be fantastic...Right? I also loved that all the produce came from the farmers market trip the other day (and did I mention cheese balls?)
I quartered all the tomatoes - very thinly sliced a small yellow pepper - very thinly sliced a little red onion - halved the marinated mozzarella balls (purchased from my local grocery) very thinly sliced a slice of prosciutto (also purchased at my local grocery) tossed all that with a little olive oil and lemon and salt and pepper.
Washed the green leaf lettuce - tore into bite size pieces - tossed it with a little olive oil and lemon.
Then put it all together - added a little extra sliced prosciutto on top - then took a lovely photo
Fresh and easy.


note: This was also fantastic when i tossed the lettuce with the               orange juice reduction dressing posted earlier (instead of just olive oil and lemon juice)  Did the vegetables the same as above. Yummy!