Fig & Blue Cheese Appetizer Tarts

Everyone needs to have an arsenal of recipes that can be called upon at a moment's notice, or when you really need to impress your mother-in-law your friends. I've got several main course and dessert recipes that are staples, but until recently I hadn't found a stand-out appetizer recipe. About a month ago, I went to visit my aunt and uncle in Memphis. They are both AMAZING cooks, especially my uncle, who likes to cook with exotic ingredients & is always on the hunt for a new, off-the-beaten-path recipe. While doing one of the wine tastings I mentioned here, they served these Fig & Blue Cheese Tarts. With one bite, I knew this would be added to my recipe collection! Recipe is below. Try them for yourself, or make them for your next get together and bask in the glow of every one's praise!

Fig & Blue Cheese Appetizer Tarts

4 oz. cream cheese           

1 cup crumbled blue cheese             

1/3 cup sweet orange marmalade

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

 6 oz. dried mission figs, coarsely chopped

2 cans crescent roll sheets

1/2 cup pecans or walnuts, coarsely chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mash cream cheese & blue cheese with a fork. In a small saucepan, mix marmalade & balsamic vinegar on low heat, whisking to blend. Stir in figs, and simmer over low until figs are soft and most of liquid is absorbed - around 10 mins. Without unrolling dough, cut into 16 slices and place 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Press in center of dough, making a deep indention/pocket. Put around 1 teaspoon of the cheese & fig mixture into the indention, making sure it's far enough into the dough that it won't overflow once baked. Sprinkle with the nuts. Bake until golden brown, around 11-15 mins. Serve warm. Enjoy!