Description

Elegant Blue Cheese Stuffed Pears offer a sophisticated and flavorful appetizer or light dessert. Ripe but firm pears are hollowed out and filled with a savory mixture of crumbled blue cheese, chopped nuts, and fresh thyme, then baked to tender perfection. Finished with a drizzle of honey and a sprinkle of black pepper, this dish combines sweet, salty, and nutty flavors for a beautifully balanced treat that pairs perfectly with salads or wine.

Ingredients

Scale

Fruits

2 ripe but firm pears

Cheese and Nuts

½ cup crumbled blue cheese
2 tablespoons chopped walnuts or pecans

Herbs and Spices

1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
Black pepper to taste

Other

1 tablespoon honey
Olive oil for brushing

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Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
Prepare Pears: Cut the pears in half lengthwise and carefully remove the cores and seeds using a spoon or melon baller, creating a hollow center for the stuffing.
Brush Pears: Lightly brush the cut sides of the pear halves with olive oil and arrange them cut-side up in the prepared baking dish.
Mix Filling: In a small bowl, combine the crumbled blue cheese with the chopped walnuts or pecans and fresh thyme leaves to create the stuffing mixture.
Stuff Pears: Spoon the cheese and nut mixture into the hollow center of each pear half, filling them evenly.
Bake: Bake the stuffed pears in the preheated oven for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the pears are tender and the cheese has softened but not completely melted.
Finish and Serve: Remove the pears from the oven, drizzle each with honey, and season with freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

For added flavor, roast the nuts beforehand to enhance their nuttiness.
If you prefer a milder taste, substitute blue cheese with goat cheese or ricotta.
This dish pairs wonderfully with arugula or mixed greens when served as part of a salad course.
It complements sparkling or dessert wines beautifully, making it an elegant appetizer or dessert.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 stuffed pear half
Calories: 180
Sugar: 14g
Sodium: 220mg
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 18g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 5g
Cholesterol: 15mg