We make an ultrasimple fruit dessert by pairing fresh figs with tangy goat cheese and toasted walnuts.

Warm Figs with Goat Cheese and Honey
SERVES 4 to 6 FAST
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS A piece of barely enhanced fresh fruit is a common ending to many Mediterranean meals, and figs are a perfect candidate: Their sweet, juicy flesh and delicate flavor need little adornment. We started by choosing the ripest, plumpest figs we could find. Halving them and topping them with a bit of tangy goat cheese offset their sweetness nicely. A brief stint in a hot oven was enough to warm the figs and cheese through, and topping each one with a walnut half, toasted to bring out its flavor, offered pleasant crunchy contrast. Finally, a drizzle of honey (tasters preferred milder-flavored options like clover) brought all the elements together with a hit of floral sweetness.
1½ ounces goat cheese
8 fresh figs, halved lengthwise
16 walnut halves, toasted
3 tablespoons honey

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 500 degrees. Spoon heaping ½ teaspoon goat cheese onto each fig half and arrange in parchment paper–lined rimmed baking sheet. Bake figs until heated through, about 4 minutes; transfer to serving platter.
2. Place 1 walnut half on top of each fig half and drizzle with honey. Serve.