Pear Gorgonzola Crostini Food

PEAR AND BLUE CHEESE CROSTINI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350ºF. Place baguette slices on a baking sheet and light toast in the oven, about 2 minutes. Divide blue cheese evenly between the baguette slices (about 1 ½ teaspoons per slice) and bake until cheese starts to melt, 3-4 minutes.Place the pears in a medium bowl and, using your hands, coat with the agave nectar or honey. Top each baguette slice with a pear slice and a few thyme leaves. Serve.

GORGONZOLA-PEAR TOASTS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly brush 1 side of each baguette slice with olive oil. Place the slices on a baking sheet and toast 5 to 7 minutes, or just until beginning to brown. Let cool.
• Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the cream cheese and gorgonzola cheese, stirring until well mixed. Spread the toasts with the cheese mixture. Top with the pear slices and chopped candied pecans. Sprinkle with the parsley.

PEAR SALAD WITH GORGONZOLA DRESSING

Steps:

• Divide arugula between 4 plates and top with pears.
• In a medium mixing bowl, combine vinegar, oil, honey, sour cream and yogurt. Fold in Gorgonzola. Drizzle dressing over salad. Garnish each plate with walnuts and serve.

GORGONZOLA CROSTINI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Place baguette slices in single layer on baking sheet. Toast in oven until golden, about 10 minutes.
• Sprinkle Gorgonzola on baguette slices. Sprinkle nuts over each. Drizzle each slice lightly with honey.

PEAR GORGONZOLA TART

Steps:

• Bake the pie shell in a square or round tart pan according to package instructions. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.
• Meanwhile, combine the cream cheese, Gorgonzola, thyme, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Using a hand blender, whip the cheeses together.
• In a large, heavy skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the pears and cook until golden on both sides, about 5 minutes.
• When the tart crust has cooled slightly, gently spread the whipped cheese mixture evenly over the bottom of the tart. Place the pear slices in a decorative pattern over the cheese mixture. Sprinkle the thin strips of prosciutto over the pears.
• Cut into squares or wedges and serve.

GORGONZOLA WALNUT CROSTINI WITH PEAR SALAD

Steps:

• Make the vinaigrette: Put the shallot in a small bowl with the vinegar and a good pinch of salt and pepper to taste. Let macerate for 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in the mustard, then whisk in the oils. Taste and adjust seasoning.
• Make the crostini: Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and brown, turning frequently. When it begins to soften, season generously with salt and pepper; reduce heat to medium. Continue cooking for about 5 minutes, until nicely caramelized. Add the rosemary and transfer to a bowl to cool to room temperature.
• Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Put the bread in the toaster until lightly browned, then lay the slices on a baking sheet. Spread about 1/2 ounce Gorgonzola on each toast, then top with the onion mixture and 3 or 4 walnut halves.
• Bake on the top shelf of the oven until bubbling and lightly browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Cut into wedges if desired.
• Assemble the salad: Put the greens and chopped celery in a low wide salad bowl. Just before serving, lightly sprinkle with salt and pepper, then toss with half the vinaigrette, just coating the leaves. Peel, core and slice the pears. Dress the slices with the rest of the vinaigrette in a separate bowl, spoon the pears over the salad, and serve with the warm crostini on the side.

GORGONZOLA PEAR CROSTINI

Steps:

• Preheat grill to 350 to 400 degrees.
• Grill pear wedges, covered with grill lid, 1-2 minutes on each side or until golden brown.
• Stir together cream cheese, Gorgonzola, butter, and sherry.
• Top each baguette slice with about 1/2 TBSP cheese mixture.
• Top with grilled pears; sprinkle with pecans and rosemary, and drizzle with honey.