Trader Joe's Frying Cheese

For those of you lucky enough to have a Trader Joe's next to you, perhaps you've already discovered a fairly recent addition to their cheese selection: Frying Cheese!

This cheese tastes mild and has a firm texture right out of the package. However, when you fry it, something amazing happens: the cheese becomes soft and takes on a nuttier, cheesier flavor. Its taste is particularly complimented by something sweet like jam, honey or maple syrup.

Here, I have coated it in maple syrup and pan fried it for a couple of minutes on each side until it's soft. Just a warning: this stuff is addictive!

Figs with Bleu Cheese and Peppery Maple Syrup

This easy snack is the perfect combination of sweet, salty, and spicy. I was inspired by a recipe on Epicurious for Fresh Figs with Goat Cheese and Peppery Honey:

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Fresh-Figs-with-Goat-Cheese-and-Peppered-Honey-235549

Here's my version...

Ingredients:

Figs

Bleu Cheese

Maple Syrup

Black Pepper

Cut the figs into quarters, stopping just short of the base so that it remains intact. Add blue cheese to the center, drizzle with maple syrup, and grind fresh black pepper over the figs.