Fall is upon us and figs season is here.
This Fig with Goat Cheese Salad is a classic, beautiful, savory, and elegant dish that is perfect for a light lunch or a late summer salad dinner.
You will be happily surprised by how easy it is to make this salad.
In less than 10 minutes, and I am very generous with my time here, you can enjoy this fabulous dish at your table.
What type of figs should I use?
The fresh figs, ficus carica, I used for this recipe are medium dark-skinned.
In the Northern Hemisphere, the figs are in season from late summer to early autumn.
They can be enjoyed fresh or dried. Excellent in a jam format.
The pairing of the goat cheese with the figs makes a great contrast with the tangy component of the salad and vinaigrette.
They do spoil quickly thus, use them as soon as you purchase them.
Vinaigrette
Using peppery arugula salad required a counterbalance of sweetness. Here comes into play the Balsamic glaze that I made for a previous recipe.
Mustard is of rigor as well as the shallots The balance of sweetness and tart is all blended with the olive oil, do not use extra virgin olive oil as it has a strong bite to it. A perfect salad recipe dressing that will work with all lettuces.
Preparation tips
- You can substitute the goat cheese with blue cheese, Stilton if you wish.
- I do not recommend Gorgonzola as it is sweeter and will not cut into chunks as it is gooier.
- If you are using dried figs, soak them in warm water until tender.
- The salad dressing can also be used for pasta salads. Use it as well for a Greek salad with tomatoes cucumbers and feta cheese instead.
- Chicken salad? Yes! More of a full meal.
- Add some fresh herbs: parsley, mint, thyme, and just have fun with it.
- Fresh goat cheese is milder; however, use what you can find at your local supermarket.
- Of course, mixed green salad leaves will work as well, enjoy it immediately as they have a tendency to wilt faster than arugula.
It is September, and in mind, we should be in full fall mode, although we are still too close to triple digits.
The pleasure of desert living, I suppose.
Pairing my newly purchased figs with cheese is a given. The combination of the two is undeniably delicious.
Goat cheese is a soft yet flavorful cheese that significantly boosts this fall fig salad.
You may also enjoy those dishes:
Arugula Stuffed Pork Tenderloin
Equipment and ingredients used to create this recipe
Fig with Goat Cheese Salad
Ingredients
- 1 shallot, finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons balsamic glaze,
- 1½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- salt and pepper
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2½ cups salad mix, such as arugula, mixed green, red leaves salad
- 8 ripe figs
- 3 ounces goat cheese
Instructions
- In a shallow salad bowl mix together the finely chopped shallot, balsamic glaze, salt, and pepper. With a whisk add the olive oil slowly while mixing to create a creamy vinaigrette.
- Add the salad, reserve a small handful to use at the end, to the creamy vinaigrette, and gently mix well to coat the salad.
- Transfer the salad to a large serving dish and spread the salad to the line to the dish.
- Cut the figs lengthwise into quarters and arrange over the salad. Add the goat cheese by teaspoon droplets over the salad and figs. Finish by scattering the remaining salad over it. Drizzle with more olive oil and season with more salt and pepper to taste.
Nutrition
Giangi’s Kitchen provides nutritional information, but these figures should be considered estimates, as a registered dietician does not calculate them.
Did you make this?
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Kayla DiMaggio
This salad is so delicious! I love that it uses fresh, local ingridents!
Giangi Townsend
This time of year it would be sacrilegious not to use fresh ingredients as they are abundant on our markets.
Thank you and enjoy it!
Luca
I wouldn’t ask for anything more right now. Figs and goat cheese are a great combination in a salad, I really liked it.
Giangi Townsend
Thank you Luca!
Cindy Mom the Lunch Lady
Omg what a great looking salad. I’ve yet to try fresh figs, but I love goat cheese, so I am certain this would be a hit!
Giangi Townsend
You will enjoy the combination of the two. Sweet and tangy at once.
Enjoy!
Kalin
I love having fresh figs this time of year! You can’t beat goat cheese on a salad either
Giangi Townsend
I look forward to this time of year just because of the figs.
Emily Flint
This salad has all of my favorite things!! And the arugula is the perfect lettuce for the sweet and tangy combo. Great recipe!
Giangi Townsend
The arugula bounces off the sweet balsamic glaze.
Thank you!
Sue
Wonderful! I erspecially love the creamy goat cheese in this – so delicious!
Giangi Townsend
Thank you! Love goat cheese, such a different taste and love the tang of it.
Crystal
This salad looks wonderful! I’ve stuffed figs with goat cheese before and it’s a great combination. Thanks for the recipe!
Giangi Townsend
My pleasure, I am sure you will enjoy it.
Thank you for coming to my page
Mayuri Patel
I’m so waiting to get some fresh figs to try out this delicious and mouthwatering figs with goat cheese salad. Love fresh figs.
Giangi Townsend
You will love this recipe Mayuri
Shilpa
This looks so good… I love fresh figs and would love to try this salad
Giangi Townsend
Thank you! You will enjoy this super easy recipe.
Addie
I love those sweet figs! So yummy!
Giangi Townsend
Thank you!