Description
Delightful Blue Cheese Stuffed Pears combine the sweetness of roasted Bosc pears with the tangy creaminess of Danish blue cheese, enhanced by crunchy walnuts, fragrant thyme, and a drizzle of honey with a hint of Aleppo pepper, making an elegant appetizer or side dish perfect for entertaining.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 3 large Bosc pears
- 2 1/2 oz blue cheese (Danish blue cheese, crumbled)
- 1/3 cup walnuts, chopped
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme, removed from the stem
Seasoning and Garnish
- 1–2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon Aleppo pepper
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1–2 tablespoons honey
- Extra thyme for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 400℉ to prepare for roasting the pears.
- Prepare pears: Slice the Bosc pears in half lengthwise and carefully remove the cores and seeds. Place them cut side down into a cast iron skillet or a baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil and season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Initial baking: Bake the pears in the oven for 15 minutes to start softening and caramelizing them.
- Stuff pears: Remove the skillet from the oven, turn the pears cut side up, and evenly stuff the cavities with crumbled blue cheese, chopped walnuts, and thyme leaves.
- Final baking: Return the stuffed pears to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the blue cheese melts slightly and the flavors meld.
- Prepare honey drizzle: While the pears finish baking, mix the honey with Aleppo pepper in a small bowl to create a sweet and mildly spicy drizzle.
- Serve: Transfer the baked stuffed pears to a serving platter or individual plates, drizzle them with the honey-Aleppo mixture, and garnish with extra thyme if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Use Bosc pears as they hold their shape well when baked and have a sweet, honeyed flavor.
- For a milder cheese flavor, substitute blue cheese with goat cheese or cream cheese.
- Walnuts can be toasted beforehand to enhance their crunch and flavor.
- If Aleppo pepper is unavailable, use a mild chili powder or smoked paprika as a substitute.
- This dish pairs well with a crisp white wine or a light salad for a complete appetizer or side.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
