Gorgonzola Bites With Fresh Fruit Food

PEAR GORGONZOLA BITES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350° Unless using non-stick, lightly coat a mini muffin tin with cooking spray
• In a large bowl, combine flour, cheese, baking powder, walnuts, rosemary, pepper, & salt
• In another bowl combine milk, butter, egg, lemon juice, and pears
• Add the milk/egg mixture to the dry ingredients, combining quickly with a few swift strokes so as not to overmix.
• Use a tablespoon or a melon baller to fill muffin cups with batter
• Bake in center of oven 15-20 minutes until golden
• Cool slightly on a rack and serve warm, or allow to cool completely and store in an airtight container in the fridge until serving

GORGONZOLA FIG BITES WITH TOASTED ALMONDS

Steps:

• Preheat oven broiler. Trim stems from figs and remove a small slice from the bottom so they will stand upright. Make a half-inch cut in the top of each fig and then another perpendicular to the first cut so that there is a cross-shaped opening in the top of each fig.
• Place figs on a baking sheet and stuff some of the cheese into the top of each. Drizzle figs lightly with olive oil and grind some black pepper on top. Place in the oven and broil until the cheese bubbles, about two minutes. Remove and top each fig with almonds. Drizzle with honey if using and serve immediately.

GORGONZOLA POLENTA BITES

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, combine vinegar and marmalade. Bring to a boil; cook 5-7 minutes or until liquid is reduced to 2 tablespoons., Meanwhile, place bread crumbs in a shallow bowl. Press both sides of polenta slices in bread crumbs. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add polenta in batches; cook 2-4 minutes on each side or until golden brown., Arrange polenta on a serving platter; spoon cheese over top. Sprinkle with currants if desired; drizzle with vinegar mixture. Serve warm or at room temperature.

FRIED GORGONZOLA BITES

Steps:

• Line an 8" square baking dish with plastic wrap and spray with vegetable oil spray. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter. Add 3/4 cup of the flour and cook for 1 minute, whisking constantly. Whisk in the milk and cook over moderately high heat, whisking constantly until thick, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low and whisk in the Gorgonzola until completely melted, about 2 minutes. Add nutmeg and season with salt and pepper. Scrape the mixture into the lined baking dish. Smooth the top and coat lightly with vegetable oil spray. Press a sheet of plastic wrap directly onto the mixture and freeze until firm but still soft enough to cut, about 3 hours.
• Line a baking sheet with wax paper. Spoon the remaining 1 cup of flour into a shallow bowl. Put the beaten eggs and bread crumbs in separate shallow bowls. Invert the set cheese mixture onto a cutting board and remove the plastic wrap. Using a floured knife, cut the chilled cheese mixture into 1" cubes,wiping the blade between slices. Working with 5 or 6 pieces at a time and keeping the rest refrigerated, dredge the cubes in flour, then in the egg and bread crumbs. Transfer the croquettes to the baking sheet and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Place a wire rack over a baking sheet and line the rack with paper towels. Pour 1 1/2 inches of oil into a medium saucepan and heat to 365*F. Add 4 or 5 croquettes to the hot oil and fry until golden and crisp, about 1 minute. Using a slotted spoon transfer the croquettes to paper towels to drain. Repeat with the remaining croquettes. Serve immediately. Enjoy!

GORGONZOLA CHEESE BALL

Steps:

• Combine everything but nuts in food processor and process 1 minute.
• Spoon into a small bowl, cover and refrigerate for atleast 2 hours.
• Shape cold cheese mixture into a ball, roll in toasted nuts, refrigerate until serving time.
• Serve with assorted crackers and pear and apple wedges.