Seasonal Pairings: Chevre, Fig, and Agave

Seasonal Pairings: Chevre with Candied Figs, paired with a Coconut & Agave Refresher

Why this pairing works: The juices pair well with the sweetness of the fig and also work to mellow the out the rich saltiness of the goat cheese. The cocktail also contains coconut water and agave nectar which are refreshing and work to cleanse your palette after the earthy flavors of this dish.

Chevre with Candied Figs
3/4 pound chèvre or other goat cheese
4 fresh figs or 1/2 cup dried
1/4 cup of balsamic vinegar
3 tbsp of brown muscovado sugar or brown sugar

Preparation
1.  Slice the chèvre log, and place on an oven pan. Cut the figs into rounds.
2.  Pour the balsamic vinegar and sugar into a small pot, and bring it to a boil. Lower the heat and let it simmer until the mixture is reduced and sticks to the back of a spoon.
3.  If you are using dried figs, place them in the vinegar mixture and let them absorb some of the fluid while the mixture cools.
4.  Heat the chèvre cheese slices quickly by using your oven's broiler function for about 3 minutes, or until the cheese has slightly started to melt. Place the cheese on a serving plate, and top it with the candied figs and vinegar mixture. Serve warm.

Simplify: You can replace muscavado sugar with brown sugar, honey, or regular sugar. Always taste the mixture since the different sugars have different sweetness, and you might want to add more.

For a challenge: With their peppery honey flavor, Black Mission figs are the best money can buy. Fresh Black Mission figs are only available a few weeks out of the year, so if you happen to come across some, make compotes and freeze for later use.

Muscovado sugar: The sugar is available in light and dark flavors, and is a raw sugar made from sugar canes. Compared with regular refined sugar, it is less processed and high in mineral content. The darker sugar has a liquorish flavor, and the lighter version has a toffee flavor.

Coconut & Agave Refresher
2oz Russian Standard Vodka
2oz Coconut Water
1oz Lemon Juice
1/2oz Agave Nectar
8 Grapes

Preparation
1.  Muddle the grapes with the agave syrup.
2.  Add the lemon juice, Russian Standard Vodka.
3.  Add coconut water to a shaker and shake all with ice.
4.  Strain into a highball glass and serve.

(Recipes supplied by entertaining expert, Linnea Johansson.)