Fig Gorgonzola Bites

Gorgonzola fig bites

I have never been able to find fresh figs in Salt Lake City so use dried figs from Trader Joe's.  Either fig they carry works great.  I found this recipe on Marguerite Henderson's blog.
Ingredients:

12 whole black mission figs (or whatever kind of figs you can find)
1/4 pound Gorgonzola dolce (a soft, sweeter blue cheese) or use Cambozola cheese
24 hazelnuts (you can buy them roasted without skins at Trader Joe's)
3-4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
ground black pepper

Directions:
Cut the figs in half lengthwise. Place on a baking sheet. Top each with about 1/2 teaspoon cheese and one hazelnut. Bake in 400o oven for 5 minutes until cheese is melted and the figs have warmed through.
Transfer to a serving dish, drizzle very lightly with vinegar and grind with black pepper. Serve at once.
Makes 24 figs bites.