Goat Cheese and Roasted Fig Tartlets

My husband has always had the unique job of being the first person to taste test all of my new recipe creations.  I don't ask him for feedback.  I don't have to.  I've become an expert at reading his face while he's eating. 😅  I can learn everything that I need to know from his expressions. #hehasnopokerface 😆 

It helps that I've had 30 years of marriage to learn his food preferences.  I know that he's probably going to be a fan of my meat and potato creations but is likely to turn up his nose at anything spicy.🌶️   He's also not a fig or goat cheese fan so I didn't even bother to run these peppery, goat cheese and roasted fig tartlets by him, the first time that I made them.🐐 

I'm pretty good at predicting the foods that my husband will like and dislike but I'm not as good at guessing how foods will be received by the rest of the population.  Food is a funny thing.  I've served stuffed dates at several parties recently and some guests have raved about how amazingly delicious they were while other guests, at the same event, take a single bite and leave the rest on their plate. 🤷🏻‍♀️

No single food is ever going to appeal to every person.  When I host (or cater) a party, I always try and serve a variety so my guests can find at least one thing that they'd like to eat.  Options for meat lovers, healthy eaters, some sweet treats and some savory choices.  I've hosted my fair share of parties and I'm still surprised by the food that my guests like the most.  

I liked these Goat Cheese and Roasted Fig Tartlets so much that I served them at 2 parties recently.  What I never predicted how popular they would be with my guests.  I prepared trays of charcuterie, short rib crostini, antipasta and sweet creations but several of my guests commented on how these goat cheese tarts were their favorite.😳  One of them was a 4 year old!!  I'll take that as a win.  

Goat Cheese and Roasted Fig Tartlets
10 Mission figs
¼ tsp cracked black pepper 
2 Tablespoons honey
2 Tablespoons sherry or brandy 

Herbed Goat Cheese Filling
8 oz goat cheese, softened
2 Tablespoons chopped chives
2 - 4 Tablespoons whipping cream
2 teaspoons lemon zest
Cracked black pepper

For the Tartlets
20 mini phyllo cups baked

Cut off the stem of each fig, and cut each in half, lengthwise.

Place on a parchment lined baking sheet.  Drizzle with honey and sherry.  

Sprinkle with pepper and toss to coat.  Bake 20-30 minutes at 375.  

Remove from oven and cool completely.  Store in frig up to 5 days.

Combine filling ingredients with a flat beater. 

Spoon filling into a piping bag. 

Pipe filling into phyllo cups. 

Top each with a roasted fig half. 

Drizzle with honey and serve. 

Ciao!

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