Ginger, Fig, Walnut, and Goat Cheese Baked Apples

After a brief moment this afternoon examining my food-pairing preferences, I decided to make these apples. One of my favorite flavor pairings? Fig and ginger. One of my recent favorite snacks? Green apples with goat cheese. Here is the recipe:

4 granny smith apples, cored, and the top 1/3 of peel removed
half a lemon
4 tbsp. brown sugar
3 tbsp. butter
3 tbsp. goat cheese
1/3 cup dried black Mission figs, chopped
1/4 cup walnuts, toasted
2 tsp. fresh ginger, minced

Place the prepared apples in a baking dish. Be sure to rub the exposed apple flesh with a lemon, or else they will turn brown. In a bowl, mash together with a fork the brown suger, butter, cheese, figs, walnuts, and ginger. Scoop this mixture carefully into the cavities of the apples. Bake at 375 degrees for 40-50 minutes. Place apples on serving plates; spoon liquid from the baking dish over the apples. Serve warm.

These apples tasted almost exactly as I had imagined. My only complaint was that I couldn't really taste the goat cheese very well. It sort of dissolved and melted into the background. Next time, I think I'll mix the goat cheese with either some warm milk and lemon juice or the juices in the baking dish to thin it out. Then I'll pour it over the baked apples so I'll have a distinct goat cheese sauce.