Smoked Gouda and Bourbon-Glazed Fig Crostini

Ingredients

• •baguette, sliced into 1/2-inch thick rounds
• •tablespoons olive oil
• •oz smoked Gouda cheese, thinly sliced or crumbled
• •1/2 cup dried mission figs, stemmed and quartered
• •1/4 cup good quality bourbon
• •tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• •tablespoon brown sugar
• •1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• •Fresh thyme sprigs, for garnish

Prep Steps

1. 1Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Brush both sides of the baguette slices with olive oil and toast on a baking sheet for 8 minutes
2. 2minutes until golden and crisp.
3. 3While the bread toasts, prepare the bourbon
4. 4glazed figs. Combine the figs, bourbon, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, and salt in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce heat to low and cook for 5 minutes
5. 5minutes, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has reduced to a thick, syrupy glaze.
6. 6Top each toasted crostini with a slice or crumble of smoked Gouda cheese. Return the crostini to the oven for 2 minutes
7. 7minutes, just until the cheese begins to soften and melt slightly.
8. 8Spoon a small amount of the warm bourbon
9. 9glazed figs over the melted Gouda on each crostini. Garnish with a tiny sprig of fresh thyme before serving.