When figs reach the height of their season in late summer and early autumn, take advantage of their sweet flavor and luxurious texture by showcasing them in this rustic fig crostata, which is a fre...

A simple way to DIY your favorite childhood snack.

Triple-cream cheeses like Explorateur, Delice de Saint-Cyr or Boursault are fantastic when baked. Here, we serve the warm, gooey cheese with fruit soaked in rum, which adds flavor and brings out the tanginess of the cheese. Dried apricots, peaches, pears and nectarines are all delicious in this recipe; you could also try other cheeses, such as Brie, Camembert or Brillat-Savarin.

During the cooler months, we like to serve richer, more aged cheeses. Seasonal fruits like figs, pomegranates, grapes, pears and persimmons add a bright and flavorful juiciness to any cheese plate. Pour a Rhone, Rioja, Chianti or other medium-bodied red wine for either plate.

Grilling or roasting fresh figs gives them a caramelized, sweet flavor that enhances this classic Italian-style pairing of salty cheese, cured meat and ripe fruit. Serve the figs hot off the grill as a starter, or combine them with a simple arugula salad for a light meal.

These individually-sized tarts make beautiful starters for a dinner party, and with prepared puff pastry, they’re simple to make. Nearly any type of blue cheese will work here; we recommend blue d’Auvergne, which is moderately strong in flavor and blends well with a splash of dairy.

We can't seem to get enough figs right now. If you think of them as just the filling for Newtons, you're in for quite a surprise. They are incredibly versatile—pairing with everything from prosciutto to walnuts to gorgonzola. We've collected a range of sweet and savory recipes that show you just how delicious figs can be.