Crisp toasts, topped with creamy goats cheese, sweet, soft figs and a delicate honey, orange and basil dressing…

You know those meals that are are really special? The ones you spend hours preparing but it’s totally worth it because they’re such a treat?

Well this isn’t one of those.

Instead, do you know those dishes which can be whipped up in a flash but when presented to your eager diners, will be met with ‘ooohs’ and ‘aaaaahs’ and ‘how lovelys!’ The reason being that sometimes the food just speaks for itself.  Sometimes, beautiful, fresh and perhaps unusual ingredients can make a dish just as special (if not more so), without the need for endless toiling.

Happy days dear readers! This recipe, is one of those.

Fig & Goat’s Cheese Crostini with a Honey, Orange & Basil Dressing

Makes 18

You will need:

50 ml extra virgin olive oil

Juice of 1/2 orange

1 tbs runny honey

1 tbs chopped fresh basil

1 stale small baguette, thinly sliced along the diagonal (approx 1/2 cm thick)

1 x 120 g soft, round goats cheese

3 small figs, finely sliced lengthways (you should get about 6 slices per fig)

•  Mix together the oil, orange juice, honey and chopped basil and then season.
• Now heat up a griddle pan and then paint both sides of each of your bread slices with the dressing
• Toast them on the griddle pan until golden on each side (a couple of mins per side)
• Now remove to a plate and put a small bit of goats cheese on each, finally topping with a slice of fig
• Lastly, drizzle over more of the dressing and season to taste
• Easy-peasy! Think you’ve got time for a sneaky G&T before your guests arrive…