Fig & Blue Cheese Crostini with Balsamic-Honey Drizzle

Milk and honey goes all grown up in this Italian-inspired appetizer that is every bit as comforting as the childhood favorite. In a quick half hour you can prepare a cheese platter fit for the gods, with assertive blue cheese and deeply sweet figs made more luxurious with the addition of a rich balsamic syrup drizzle amped up by a touch of honey. If blue cheese isn't your thing, substitute a fresh goat cheese and sprinkle it, or the heated sweet balsamic-honey syrup, with some fresh thyme. Either way, you have a delicious cocktail party bite that screams luxury. Toasting the walnuts is key here for a mellow nutty topping, as raw walnuts can have a harsher bite. As a time saver, toast the crostini a day or 2 ahead of time and store in an air-tight container until ready to use.