Fig ham and cheese crostini — they’re the perfect appetizer or addition to a nibble board for snacking or a light dinner. Here are our tips for making these irresistible little bites.
The crostini couldn’t be any easier as they involve five ingredients: baguette, Dijon mustard, Mission Figs, ham, and a melty cheese.
Get in on the Fig Ham Combination
At first blush, you might wonder about the fig ham pairing, but it makes sense: shaved gossamer-thin prosciutto is a natural wrapped around dried figs and we’ve got a bunch of recipes pairing bacon and figs, so it’s not a stretch to extend the same idea to figs and ham. We especially like using shaved ham from the deli, though you can use leftover ham from Easter too.
What Kinds of Figs Should I Use?
Orchard Choice and Sun-Maid Mission Figs are our top picks—they provide a familiar, earthy sweetness that’s got more depth. Golden Figs offer a delicately nutty and tangy sweetness that would be equally as good.
Cheese, Please
For the crostini, select a cheese prone to melting easily. We suggest Swiss or Monterey Jack for white cheeses, or a cheddar is quite nice too. That said, we recently made the crostini with raclette—a cheese known for its supple, silky melting texture, and that might be our new favorite! You can see the transformation in the photos above. The real key here is to use what you like.
Fig Ham Crostini
Ingredients
- 8 ounces Orchard Choice or Sun-Maid California Figs stems trimmed
- 1 baguette
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard substitute with herb and garlic-flavored cream cheese
- 1/2 lb ham sliced, can also use smoked turkey or prosciutto
- 1/2 lb Swiss cheese may also use Jack or Cheddar cheese
Instructions
- In saucepan, cover figs with water and bring to boil. Remove from heat, let stand 30 minutes; drain. Cut baguette into 12 slices. Place in single layer on baking sheet. Bake at 375º for 10 minutes or until crisp. Spread each slice with mustard or flavored cream cheese. Top with ham, turkey or prosciutto. Slice figs and place fan-style over meat; top with cheese. Place on baking sheet. Broil 4 inches from heat for 2 to 3 minutes or until cheese melts.
