Description
Delightful Roasted Pears with Blue Cheese, Walnuts, and Honey is an elegant yet simple dessert featuring tender roasted pears topped with creamy blue cheese, crunchy walnuts, and a sweet touch of honey. Perfect for a sophisticated appetizer or a unique dessert, this dish balances the sweetness of pears with the bold flavors of blue cheese and the deep nuttiness of toasted walnuts.
Ingredients
Scale
Pears and Seasonings
- 4 medium pears
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Toppings
- 3/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 2 tablespoons honey
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for roasting the pears.
- Clean Pears: Wash the pears thoroughly under cool running water to remove any dirt or residues.
- Prepare Pear Halves: Cut each pear in half lengthwise and remove the core using a melon baller or a spoon, creating a hollow center.
- Arrange Pears for Roasting: Place the pear halves cut side up on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
- Oil and Season: Drizzle olive oil evenly over the pear halves, making sure each is coated. Sprinkle salt and black pepper evenly over the pears.
- Distribute Seasonings: Use your hands or a brush to spread the oil and seasonings thoroughly over each pear half for consistent flavor.
- Roast Pears: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and roast the pears for 25-30 minutes, until they are tender and edges are lightly golden.
- Chop Walnuts: While roasting, chop the walnuts into uniform small pieces to ensure even texture and toasting.
- Cool Roasted Pears: After roasting, remove the pears from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes so they can be handled safely.
- Prepare Cheese: Crumble the blue cheese into bite-sized pieces in a small bowl, ready for topping the pears.
- Add Blue Cheese: Spoon the crumbled blue cheese evenly into the hollow of each pear half.
- Top with Walnuts: Sprinkle the chopped walnuts over the blue cheese on each pear, adding crunch and flavor.
- Drizzle Honey: Drizzle honey evenly over the pear halves to add sweetness and balance the bold cheese flavor.
- Final Bake: Return the pears to the oven and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes to soften and slightly melt the cheese and toast the walnuts.
- Remove and Rest: Take the pears out of the oven once cheese is slightly melted and walnuts are toasted. Let them rest for a couple of minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving.
Notes
- Choose ripe but firm pears like Bosc or Anjou for best roasting results.
- If you prefer milder cheese, substitute blue cheese with goat cheese or feta.
- Walnuts can be toasted separately in a dry skillet before chopping for extra flavor.
- Adjust the amount of honey depending on your preferred sweetness level.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with a crisp white wine or sparkling water with lemon.
- For a nut-free version, omit walnuts or substitute with pumpkin seeds.
