walnut stuffed figs

we really didn't eat a lot of desserts

when i was a kid

usually

after dinner

a pot of coffee was brewed

and 

bowls of

fresh fruit

and

nuts

were heaved to the table

one particular treat

at holiday time

was

freshly cracked walnuts

stuffed into

dried figs

this year

i gave the treat a little update

by dipping the figs

in 

bittersweet chocolate

a sweet

with 

benefits

walnut stuffed figs

12 dried figs
12 large walnut halves-toasted


warmed honey and flavorful cheese
or
bittersweet chocolate-melted and tempered

using a sharp knife, make a split in the fig without cutting all the way through
like this

push a walnut into the fruit
like so

and close it up

leave as it, 
drizzle with honey and serve with cheese as a savory snack
or
dip in chocolate for a great sweet

it is probably time to get a cat...

we have a mountain home

i often talk about all the wonderful things about it

what i rarely mention

is our rodent population

hey

it is the mountains

after all

we have mice

mostly
they stay outdoors

or
 under the house
however

as it begins to cool

and

snow falls

they make their way inside

it does freak me out

especially
when i find a nest
in the arm of my robe
or
under a pillow

this morning
may possibly be my favorite tell
 the pantry held an empty walnut bag
across the room
another cabinet held this

walnuts in a vase
apparently
we have
fancy mice
eating only
from the finest of crystal

appetizer angst

it is no secret that i absolutely love ina garten

i have blogged about my obsession before

and told anyone who will listen

how i wish to be her friend

and have contemplated taking up bridge just to increase my chances

for a dinner invitation

while i have never actually owned one of her cookbooks

nor

made any of her recipes

i am in awe of her style

particularly her entertaining style

i could never only serve a hearty salad and crusty bread for dinner

with a dessert of chocolate bark

i'm not the sort

but i envy it in her

and every time i have guests for dinner

i try and imitate her unapologetic rule

of

only making 2 items for dinner and then buying the extras

but i never get there

i'm just not the sort

last evening we had guests for dinner

2 couples we have come to know over the years and have become good friends with

and i made a dinner of homemade pasta, chicken saltimboca, 4 veg and dessert

I thought maybe I shouldn't serve appetizers

Ina wouldn't

she would serve nuts or something

so that is where i stood

until about five o'clock

when i began to panic

i couldn't give it up

i had to have some sort of nibble for my guests

and i wanted it to be really simple

to go with my very french aperitif

kir royale

i turned to what i had on hand

and made this a simple yet absolutely delicious

start to our evening

Walnut Stuffed Figs

(printable recipe)

dried figs

toasted walnuts

mascarpone cheese

finely diced bits of well-cooked bacon

stem and split the figs, stuff with toasted walnuts, top with a small dot of mascarpone, and then sprinkle the bits of bacon on top.  These are also lovely with a bit of blue cheese in place of the mascarpone.