Figs seem like one of those fruits you kind of forget about until you walk into the store and see overflowing baskets of them in late summer. I love figs.
They have a delicate sweetness that adds a complexity to a lot of food, especially savory foods. They are wonderful in curries, as snacks and here in this recipe, in grilled cheese. They just seem to go so well with a good cheese and peppery arugula. While dried figs are certainly tasty, nothing compares to the fresh ones.
If you haven't tried fresh figs you're missing out and need to, now.
I think I paid $3.99 for a pint which was plenty for lunch and some leftover to snack on whole.
For the grilled cheese I used the following:
- 4 whole figs, sliced
- Rosemary sourdough bread
- sliced sharp cheddar
- Arugula
- crumbled feta
- 2 TBSP butter
- Sliced avocado
You've no doubt made grilled cheese before so no-brainer here. Melt the butter in a cast iron pan heated on medium heat. Lay down a slice of bread and layer with the cheese, sliced figs, arugula, avocado and then crumbled feta. Top with another layer of bread and set something fairly heavy on top while it toasts in the butter. Flip once and toast on the other side.
These are amazing and can be served with soup as well. The combination of sweet figs, spicy arugula and savory cheese is just about the perfect mix. I plan on enjoying these several times while fresh figs are available.
