Bacon-Wrapped Figs Stuffed With Blue Cheese - cooking recipe

Ingredients

8 slices bacon
16 dried figs
1/3 - 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese (Danish, Maytag, or Gorgonzola)

Preparation

Preheat oven to 400\u00b0; line a baking sheet with foil.
Lay bacon on the baking sheet and bake for 5-7 minutes, until the bacon has rendered some fat but is still pliable; drain on paper towels.
Cut each strip of bacon in half and lay it on a cutting board.
Slit the figs lengthwise, making a small pocket.
Push about 1 teaspoon of the crumbled cheese into the pocket and close the slit.
Place the fig on the bacon and roll the bacon around the fig, securing with a toothpick.
Repeat with the remaining bacon, figs, and cheese.
Transfer figs to a 9 x 13 inch baking dish, placing them about 1/2 inch apart.
Bake in 400\u00b0 oven for 10 minutes, or until bacon is crisp; remove from baking dish and serve hot or warm.
**Make Ahead or OAMC: after step 8, Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 1 month.
Defrost the figs in the refrigerator overnight, if necessary.
Preheat oven to 400\u00b0; let figs come to room temperature for about 20 minutes.
Bake for 10 minutes, or until bacon is crisp; remove from baking dish and serve hot or warm.