
Sweet and savory prosciutto wrapped figs are baked with a pecan filling in a buttery, flaky crust. These are so good they won’t care if it’s a dessert or a savory first course, as long as you keep them coming.

Ingredients
- 2½ cup all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling surface
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 8 ounce (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
- ¼ cup ice water
- 5 ounce pecan pieces, shelled
- 3 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- ½ teaspoon thyme leaves, minced
- 1 pinch each salt and pepper
- 8 slice prosciutto
- 8 whole figs, stem end trimmed
- 4 ounce gorgonzola, crumbled
- honey, as needed
- 1 large egg yolk, lightly beaten with 1 tablespoon water, for egg wash
Directions
Make the crust: Pulse flour and salt in a food processor until combined. Add butter, and process until mixture resembles coarse meal, about 10 seconds. With machine running, add ice water in a slow, steady stream until dough just comes together (no longer than 30 seconds). Divide dough in half, shape each into a square, and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate dough for at least 1 hour (or up to 2 days), or freeze for up to 1 month.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out cold dough to 1/8 inch thick. Using a paring knife, cut out eight 5‑inch squares, and fit into cups of standard sized muffin tin, leaving an overhang all around. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Save the leftover dough for another use.
Make the nut filling: Put nuts in a food processor. With processor running, slowly add oil until mixture is finely chopped. Add lemon zest and thyme leaves; season with salt and pepper. Scrape mixture into a small bowl and stir until combined. Set aside.
Make the hand pies: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Divide the nut filling evenly in the bottoms of chilled dough-lined muffin tins. Warp each trimmed, whole fig with one slice of prosciutto, placing each into a nut filled dough-lined muffin tin hole. Sprinkle the tops with gorgonzola, adding a small drizzle of honey. Brush with egg wash.
Place the muffin tin in the pre-heated oven and reduce heat to 375. Bake pies until top crusts are golden brown and the figs are quite soft and the prosciutto is crisp, about 25 minutes. Let cool completely in the tin on a wire rack. Remove hand pies from tins and serve with a drizzle of honey.
I look forward to hearing about your trip, especially through Amish country. Would love a glimpse of the culture myself one day. In the meantime, I’ve been craving lamb in a big way but haven’t done anyting about it. Your version sounds perfect to me.
One of things I adore about rack of lamb is how easy it easy and tasty too! The hazelnuts are a nice touch, one that I must try.
Nice rack! (Feel like you work in a strip club now?)
The mustard slather and coating mixture are a smart move, but then again, you are the genius! Have a safe trip and have fun hanging out in the Amish Paradise.
Have a terrific trip! Loving the hazelnut crust on the lamb!
most people never consider cooking a rack at home because it just seems too “fancy”. Thanks for showing us the way!
love the lamb-hazelnut combination! delicious! hope you have a great week of travels and good food!
Now you have let out the big secret about lamb and how easy it is. I hope none of my frequent dinner guests sees this as they think it is so special when I make it. I roast at 500 degrees though…
Can’t wait for the stories! Have a great trip.