Baked Fig Pops with Blue Cheese and Candied Almonds

YIELD: 20 servings

⅓ cup whole almonds
¼ cup white sugar
10 fresh figs
¼ lb. good-quality blue cheese
3 Tbsps. honey

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Roughly chop almonds. In a small nonstick pan over medium heat, cook sugar until it turns to liquid. Add chopped almonds and carefully stir until coated. Allow nuts to cook and candy, about 5 minutes or until fragrant. Remove from heat. When cool enough to handle, remove nuts to a board.
2. Cut each fig in half, then cut a small slice off the side of each fig so it will lie flat, cut side up. Arrange figs, cut side up, on the baking sheet. Top each fig half with a piece of blue cheese. Break a small piece of candied almonds and put on top.
3. Bake for 5 minutes or until cheese has melted. Immediately drizzle each fig with a little honey and serve warm.

Photo and recipe: The Almond Board of California