Broiled Figs with Blue Cheese & Toasted Almonds

Mmm...figs & blue cheese! This unique flavor combination makes a quick and easy appetizer or snack. It takes no time at all to prepare, and is a wonderful way to enjoy this lovely fruit while it's in season. I found these figs at the local farmer's market, but whole foods, and similar grocery stores sell them as well. Topping the blue cheese stuffed figs with chopped, toasted almonds and a drizzle of honey gives them just the right combination of salty & sweet. I prefer a Roquefort blue cheese for this recipe because of it's incredibly strong and pungent flavor...but any blue cheese will do just fine!


Ingredients:
6-8 small fresh figs
2-3 tablespoons of blue cheese
2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons chopped or slivered almonds, toasted
2 tablespoons of honey

Directions:
Preheat oven broiler.
Trim stems from figs and slice in half from top to bottom.
Make a half inch cut in the center of each fig, and then another perpendicular to the first cut so that there is a cross-shaped opening to stuff the blue cheese in.
Place figs on baking sheet and stuff some of the cheese into the top of each.
Drizzle figs lightly with olive oil and grind some black pepper on top.
Place in oven and broil until the cheese bubbles, about 2 minutes.
Remove and top each fig with almonds.
Drizzle with honey and serve immediately.