Cheese Stuffed Figs with Balsamic Vinegar, Honey, and Pecans

It's all about the figs, baby.  Fresh figs are so much more than the Fig Newtons you see at the grocery store or at your grandparent's house.  Although I must say they are getting good with the assortment of flavors:  triple berry, apple cinnamon, strawberry, etc. 

Did you know that Fig Newtons are now just "Newtons?"  They dropped the "Fig" to distinguish their cookies as having other fruit flavors instead of the typical fig/prune.  When did that happen?  I always miss the name changes. OK, maybe not with the stars since they usually announce their name change. :-P  (ex:  Snoop Dogg is now Snoop Lion?)

Anyways, fresh figs are great because they can be a nice fall snack and require little preparation for guests if used as an appetizer.  Plus, they are almost completely edible (with the top cut off), are filling, and a prepared fig only comes to less than 80 calories per fig.  That's not much and they are so delicious!

So without further ado, please check out, Cheese Stuffed Figs with Balsamic Vinegar, Honey, and Pecans!

This mouth-watering appetizer can be prepared in 15 minutes!

  Servings:  6

Serving size- 1 fig

Calories:  79.5
Fat:  2.93 g   

Carbs:  12.83 g
Fiber:  1.2   g 

Protein:  1.31 g 

Points:  2 

Recipe:

6 small figs 
1 tsp. extra virgin olive oil

2 Tbsp. Neufchatel cream cheese
2 Tbsp. soft goat cheese
1 1/2 Tbsp. honey
2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
6 pecan halves

1.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 
2.  Wash the figs and pat them dry with a towel.  Then, cut the stem/top off of the figs.
3. With a sharp knife, cut an "X" pattern on the top of the fig so it can be stuffed with the cheese.
4.  Rub the olive oil on the top of the cut fig.
5.  Place the goat cheese in the fig.  Repeat with the cream cheese.
6.  Place the figs on a baking sheet and cook for 10-12 minutes.
7.  Once baked, take the figs out of the oven and drizzle honey and balsamic vinegar on top of them. 
8.  Place a pecan half on top of the fig.

Warning:  The figs will be HOT so allow time to cool before serving.

P.S.  Trader Joe's has been selling figs for $5.00 for a huge container! 

Fig inspiration by Grape and Bean in Old Town, Alexandria, VA.