Description
This Warm Fig and Prosciutto Goat Cheese Dip is a delightful appetizer combining creamy goat and cream cheese with salty prosciutto and sweet fig jam, baked to perfection and topped with crunchy pistachios. Perfect for entertaining, this dip offers a harmonious blend of savory and sweet flavors that pair wonderfully with crackers.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheeses
- 225 g (8 oz) goat cheese, softened to room temperature
- 115 g (4 oz) reduced-fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature
Other Ingredients
- 85–115 g (3–4 oz) prosciutto, finely chopped
- 1 cup fig jam
- 2 tablespoons chopped pistachios
- Crackers, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) to prepare for warming the dip.
- Blend the Cheeses: Add the softened goat cheese and cream cheese to a food processor and blend until smooth and creamy. Alternatively, beat the cheeses together in a stand mixer or a large bowl with a hand mixer until evenly combined.
- Incorporate Prosciutto: Transfer the cheese mixture to a mixing bowl and gently fold in the finely chopped prosciutto until it is evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
- Prepare the Baking Dish: Spread the cheese and prosciutto mixture into a 23 × 18 × 5 cm (9 × 7 × 2-inch) baking dish or pie plate, smoothing the surface evenly.
- Add Fig Jam: Evenly spread the fig jam over the top layer of the cheese mixture to create a sweet contrast.
- Bake the Dip: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 8–10 minutes, until the dip is warmed through and slightly bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and sprinkle with the chopped pistachios just before serving. Serve warm or at room temperature with crackers for dipping.
Notes
- Use softened cheeses to ensure a smooth blend and creamy dip texture.
- Adjust the amount of prosciutto to your taste preference for saltiness and texture.
- Fig jam offers a sweet flavor that balances the saltiness of prosciutto; do not substitute unless you want a different flavor profile.
- Spoon the dip gently to retain the layered look with fig jam on top when serving.
- For a nut-free version, omit pistachios or replace with seeds such as pumpkin seeds.
- Best served warm but also delicious at room temperature.
