Apple season is in full swing. And I just can’t seem to stop buying apples (but at $.29 a pound, I find a hundred reasons to justify my apple obsession!). Luckily apples are one of those magical ingredients that are just as good raw as cooked, make for the perfect healthy and satisfying sweet treat, and can be used in a multitude of sweet or savory dishes.
This particular sandwich reminds me of a sandwich my mom used to make when I was a kid. My mom would make jam and cheese toasted sandwiches, which incidentally I hated back then. I must have been crazy (or at least my taste buds were), because I also seriously disliked cheese Danish pastries (which these toasted apple-cheese sandwiches sort-of remind me of). Since then I’ve come around, and I now understand what all the fuss is about the tried and true sweet and savory flavor combination, especially when cheese is involved!
By the way, this fig spread is really phenomenal with the tang from the balsamic vinegar, the sweetness of the dates, and the freshness of the figs. I bet there are infinite uses for it, so you might want to make extra!
Toasted Apple-Cheese Sandwiches with Sweet and Savory Fig Spread
(Yield: 4 sandwiches)
Sandwiches:
8 slices cinnamon-raisin bread
Butter, softened
4 oz Havarti cheese, thinly sliced
2 small apples, thinly sliced
Fig spread (see below)
2 teaspoon powdered sugar (optional, for garnish)
Sprig of fresh mint (optional, for garnish)
Fig Spread:
2 fresh figs, diced
4 Medjool dates, pitted and diced
1 TB balsamic vinegar
⅛ teaspoon salt
⅛ teaspoon pepper
In a small pot combine the ingredients for the fig spread with ¼ c of water. Stirring frequently, heat on low for about 7 minutes until the spread has a consistency similar to peanut butter (the sauce will be lumpy though).
Preheat a griddle to medium-low heat. Butter one side of each slice of bread. On a cutting board, line up 4 slices of bread with the butter side down. Place 1 ounce of cheese on each slice of bread. On top of the cheese, fan out the slices of half an apple on each sandwich. Divide the fig spread into 4 equal portions and spread it on the plain side of the 4 remaining bread slices; place the bread (butter side facing out) on top of the apple slices.
Transfer the sandwiches to the preheated griddle and cook for about 3 minutes on the first side and 2 minutes on the second side (or until light golden brown on both sides). Remove the sandwiches from the griddle, cut each in half on the diagonal, and transfer them to serving plates. Using a small mesh sieve, lightly sprinkle each sandwich with powdered sugar. Place a spring of fresh mint on top of each sandwich for garnish.
Lorraine @NotQuiteNigella says
Faith, could I please come over for breakfast or lunch? Figs and apples are two of my favourite fruits! :D
Blond Duck says
I've never had an apple cheese sandwich, and that must be remieded immediately.
dee (the apple hill adventurer) says
WOW that looks good!
i think we were both in the mood for fruity sammies this week, i posted a fruit a cheese sammie recipe too hehe
Carrie says
That sandwich is so unique and looks so great! I love fig spread, and it sounds wonderful with all of the other ingredients.
Karyn Bernard (French Charming) says
Such an interesting combination and it looks and sounds absolutely delicious!
Fitness Surfer says
Yummmmmy! Just added that one to my list of "healthy but oh so delicious" day off must haves list =)
admin says
The Ungourmet, I got the apples at a small store called Country Peddlers (I checked, but I couldn't find a website for them). It's almost like a much smaller scale farmers' market. They're open year-round and they've got a deli, bakery, gelato/ice cream shop all in the same place. Plus they sell local honey and homemade-like jams/spreads. They also sell local produce and seasonal flowers. This time of year their apples are $.29 a pound! (Compared with the $1.69 a pound for apples at the grocery store down the street!)
Natasha - 5 Star Foodie says
Those sandwiches sound excellent! I love this combination of apples, cheese, and the fig spread!
lynn@queenofthecastlerecipes says
Your sandwich looks soooo good! Makes me want to run out and buy some apples and cheese.
Chiara @ Wandering Cook says
Wish it was apple season here as well... I can't believe how cheap apples are over there! I just bought some "on sale" for $1.69 a pound =(
This sandwich looks fantastic by the way, I love figs!
theUngourmet says
YUM! What a sandwich! I am loving that fig spread! Must run out for figs right now! :P
P.S. Wherever did you find apple that cheap??? I must be shopping in the wrong store!
Dawn says
This looks delicious--it's like the perfect little sandwich! :)
Can you teach me how to make all of this amazing food?? hahaha
Barbara says
Yummy! My favorite is apple butter, turkey and brie, grilled. But I love figs so am going to try your recipe.
Peanut Butter Bliss says
oh man I love that you get the sweet/savory combo all in one! sounds great :)
Jen says
What a perfect fall sandwich! Looks so very good. I love the fig spread - yum! The presentation is gorgeous.
Selba says
I wish I could try a slice of it! Looks so delicious... :)
Laila says
Great idea ... looks absolutely delicious ...
Laila .. http://lailablogs.com/
DebinHawaii says
That is a gorgeous sandwich--what a great combination!
Holly says
i love the combination of apples, figs and cheese. sweet and savory to the max!
Donna says
What an absolutely delicious sounding sandwich. The combination is amazing, so wonderful.
Anh says
Oh my. I wish I could have this right now! I love this sweet-savoury combo. :)
nora@ffr says
great combo faith. fig and apple is perfect! sound amazing!
cheers!!
sarah (ghost world) says
so simple, yet so wonderful-looking! YUM!
Krista says
What a fabulous sandwich!!!
Rosa says
A very interesting combination! What a delightful treat!
Cheers,
Rosa
zerrin says
This is another excellent treat. It includes all my favorites; apple, dates,figs, mint. Sounds so tasty! It's definitely calling my name! YUM YUM!
Heavenly Housewife says
How clever and delicious. Great flavours :). I hope you made one for me!