Skewered Figs and Bacon Wrapped Cheese with a Balsamic Reduction

Skewers are fun and make a great presentation piece. If you cannot find them, no worries, just use the usual type of skewer. Carr’s brand bread cheese is being used, but Kasseri cheese (a Greek grilling cheese) can be used or you can use you favorite mild cheese that will melt.  The reason for using Spicewood Food Company Balsamic Vinegar Aged 18 Years is that it is like a balsamic reduction which is sweet and smooth and can be ordered on-line at Spicewood Food Company Balsamic Vinegar Aged 18 Years  .  The recipe is for two skewers, but can be doubled so all four skewers are used.

Ingredients

3 fresh mission figs
7 pieces of pre-cooked bacon cut in half
1 package of Carr’s brand bread cheese cut into 14 mini pieces (or try Kasseri or your favorite melting cheese)
1/2 cup of Spicewood Food Company Balsamic Vinegar Aged 18 Years
1 lime thinly sliced (optional)
Non-stick cooking spray

Technique

Cut each mission fig into 4 slices. Cut each pre-cooked bacon slice in half. Cut cheese into small bite size pieces about ½ inch by ½ inch. Wrap bacon around the cheese and place on the skewer. Then skewer a fig slice. Continue until both skewers are full. Place both skewers onto a cookie sheet coated with non-stick cooking spray. Bake in preheated oven at 375 degrees until bacon becomes crispy and cheese bubbly. This takes between 5-7 minutes. At the same time in a small skillet, add balsamic vinegar, reduce by half, and set aside.  Once skewers are bubbling remove from oven. Place each skewer onto its own dish. Be careful, they are pretty but they are still HOT, so use an oven mitt to transfer. Garnish with lime slices as shown (optional) and balsamic vinegar.

Suggested Beverage

Try Le Diablotin Vin de Pays d’OC Grenache (France),  Real De Aragon Garnacha by Pagos Familia Langa (Calatayud, Spain), Lo Brujo GarnaCha Calatayud (Spain) or try your favorite Pinot Noir.

Chatty Advice

When making any of our gluten-free recipes take care in reading the labels of any packaged or canned products. If there is a label on anything you are using, read it or ask to make sure that it is indeed gluten-free. Many products vary in ingredients from brand to brand. Some examples of this can be found when looking at the labels of soy sauce, mustard, distilled vinegar, and even chicken broth.

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