Description
Delightfully baked pears filled with creamy blue cheese and crunchy walnuts, drizzled with honey and balsamic vinegar, creating a perfect balance of flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 ripe pears (Bartlett or Bosc)
- 4 oz blue cheese, crumbled
- 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves (or 1/2 tsp dried thyme)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Optional: fresh thyme sprigs for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Wash the pears under cold water and pat them dry.
- Cut each pear in half lengthwise and scoop out the core and seeds.
- Place the pear halves cut-side up in a baking dish.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the crumbled blue cheese and chopped walnuts.
- Add honey and balsamic vinegar, stirring until well combined.
- Sprinkle in fresh thyme leaves, black pepper, and salt, mixing again.
- Fill each pear half generously with the blue cheese and walnut mixture.
- Drizzle olive oil over the filled pears and optionally add more honey.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil.
- Bake covered for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 15-20 minutes until tender and bubbly.
- Let the pears cool for a few minutes before transferring to serving plates.
- Drizzle with any remaining juices and garnish with fresh thyme sprigs if desired.
Notes
- This recipe is versatile; feel free to experiment with different types of cheese or nuts based on your preference.
- You can also add a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm spice flavor.
- These baked pears make a fantastic appetizer or dessert and pair beautifully with a glass of dessert wine.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes