Fig Sandwich with Speck and Squacquerone Cheese
Category: Main Dishes
Servings: 2
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Baguette bread | 2 |
| Figs | 3 |
| Speck (smoked ham) | 6 slices |
| Squacquerone cheese | 140g |
| Lamb’s lettuce (Songino) | 30g |
| Wildflower honey | 30g |
| Crushed hazelnuts | 10g |
| Extra virgin olive oil | to taste |
| Tabasco® | to taste |
| Sea salt | to taste |
| Black pepper | to taste |
Instructions
To begin preparing this flavorful fig sandwich, start by washing and drying the figs thoroughly. Cut each fig in half (1-2) and place them on a tray lined with parchment paper, ensuring that the cut side is facing upwards. Drizzle a teaspoon of wildflower honey over the surface of each fig, then place them under the grill of the oven preheated to 240°C (465°F). Grill for 3-4 minutes, or until the figs have caramelized and the top is golden and slightly crisped.
While the figs are grilling, sprinkle crushed hazelnuts on top of the caramelized figs to add a delightful crunch. Next, slice the baguette into halves (7-8), drizzle a bit of olive oil on them, and toast them on a hot grill until they have a golden, crispy exterior.
Keep the toasted baguette slices aside, and on the same grill, place the speck slices. Grill them briefly, just enough to crisp them up, then remove them and set them aside.
Now, prepare the salad by washing and drying the lamb’s lettuce (Songino) and placing it in a bowl. Dress it with a little extra virgin olive oil, a few drops of Tabasco® for a subtle heat, and a pinch of black pepper. Toss to combine.
Once all the components are ready, assemble your sandwich. Spread a layer of squacquerone cheese on one of the toasted baguette slices. Add a few leaves of the seasoned Songino, and then layer the caramelized figs on top. Finally, add the crispy speck for a savory touch. Place the other half of the baguette on top to complete your sandwich.
Serve immediately and enjoy the balance of sweet, savory, and crunchy flavors in every bite!
Recipe Notes:
- The caramelized figs provide a sweet contrast to the smoky speck, making each bite a perfect harmony of flavors.
- Squacquerone cheese is a soft, creamy cheese that complements the richness of the figs and the smokiness of the speck. If you can’t find it, you can substitute it with another creamy cheese like ricotta or mascarpone.
- For an extra touch of flavor, you can also add a few more drops of Tabasco® to the figs before grilling them for added spice.
