Description
This Blue Cheese Stuffed Pears recipe offers a delightful combination of sweet, savory, and slightly spicy flavors. Bosc pears are baked until tender, then filled with Danish blue cheese, chopped walnuts, and fresh thyme, creating an elegant appetizer or side dish perfect for entertaining or a sophisticated snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Pears and Toppings
- 3 large Bosc pears
- 1-2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 1/2 oz Danish blue cheese, crumbled
- 1/3 cup walnuts, chopped
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves removed from stems
- 1-2 tbsp honey
- 1/2 tsp Aleppo pepper
- Flaky salt, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400℉ (204℃) to prepare for baking the pears.
- Prepare Pears: Slice each Bosc pear in half lengthwise and carefully remove the core and seeds. Arrange the halves cut side down in a cast iron skillet or baking dish, then drizzle with olive oil and season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Bake Pears First Round: Place the skillet with the pears in the preheated oven and bake cut side down for 15 minutes until they begin to soften.
- Stuff Pears: Remove the skillet from the oven and turn the pears cut side up. Fill the centers with the crumbled Danish blue cheese and chopped walnuts, then sprinkle fresh thyme leaves evenly over the filling.
- Bake Stuffed Pears: Return the skillet to the oven for another 8 to 10 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt slightly and the flavors to meld together.
- Prepare Honey Drizzle: While the pears finish baking, combine honey and Aleppo pepper in a small bowl, stirring thoroughly to blend the sweet and mildly spicy flavors.
- Serve: Once done, carefully transfer the pears to a serving platter or individual plates. Drizzle the honey and Aleppo pepper mixture on top, garnish with flaky salt and extra thyme sprigs if desired. Serve warm and enjoy this elegant dish!
Notes
- Use ripe but firm Bosc pears for best texture; overripe pears may become too mushy when baked.
- Adjust the amount of blue cheese and walnuts to taste or dietary preferences.
- Aleppo pepper adds a mild heat and fruity flavor; substitute with crushed red pepper flakes if unavailable.
- For a vegan version, replace blue cheese with a plant-based cheese alternative.
- This dish is best served warm to enjoy the melted cheese and honey drizzle at their finest.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
