Roasted Seckel Pears With Vanilla Mascarpone Cream And Thyme Food

ROASTED PEARS WITH BROWN SUGAR AND VANILLA ICE CREAM

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Arrange the pears cut side up in an 8-inch square glass baking dish. Whisk the apple juice and sugar in a small heavy saucepan over medium-high heat until the sugar dissolves. Whisk in the butter. Pour the sauce over the pears. Bake until the pears are crisp-tender and beginning to brown, basting occasionally with the juices, about 35 minutes.
• Spoon the pears onto plates. Top with ice cream. Drizzle with any juices and serve.
• The pears can also be served frozen. To do so, cool the pears, then place them in the freezer until frozen solid, about 8 hours.

HONEY-ROASTED PEAR SALAD WITH THYME VERJUS DRESSING

Steps:

• For dressing:
• Whisk all ingredients in small bowl to blend. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper.
• For pears and salad:
• Preheat oven to 400°F. Scatter thyme sprigs on rimmed baking sheet. Place pear halves, cut side down, on work surface. Starting 1/2 inch from stem and leaving pear half intact, cut each lengthwise into scant 1/3- to 1/2-inch-wide slices. Press pear gently to fan slices; place atop thyme sprigs. Drizzle pears with honey; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake until pears are tender, about 15 minutes. Let stand on baking sheet at least 30 minutes and up to 3 hours.
• Combine lettuce and arugula in large bowl. Add dressing and toss to coat. Divide salad among plates. Place pear alongside greens. Garnish salads with cheese; sprinkle with nuts.

ROASTED SECKEL PEARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a medium bowl; combine the balsamic, butter, lemon juice and zest, sugar, garlic, ginger, and black pepper. Stir together well.
• Add the pears and gently toss to coat them.
• Arrange the pears on a nonstick baking sheet in a single layer without crowding.
• Roast until cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes.

PEAR GRATIN WITH MASCARPONE CUSTARD

Steps:

• To make the custard, heat the milk in a heavy saucepan until it is almost boiling. In a separate bowl, beat egg yolks until they are light and pale-colored. Beat sugar into the yolks, tablespoon by tablespoon. Add flour and beat until smooth. Add heated milk to the yolk mixture in a slow stream, beating constantly. Beat until smooth. Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and chill.
• When the mixture is thoroughly chilled, remove from refrigerator and whisk until smooth. Fold the mascarpone into the mixture. In a separate bowl, beat the cream until medium-stiff and fold into the custard mixture. Stir in vanilla and chill until ready to use.
• To make the gratin, preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Melt the butter in a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add sugar and stir constantly until a golden brown caramel develops. Remove from heat.
• Arrange the pear halves, cut side down, on top of the caramel and scatter minced ginger, if desired, over the pears. Cover the pears with foil and bake for 15 minutes or until tender when pierced with a skewer.
• Place two pear halves in each of six individual gratin dishes. Divide the caramel among the dishes. Pour about 1 cup of custard into each gratin dish, covering the pears. Place the gratin dishes on a baking sheet for easier handling and bake for 5 minutes. Remove from oven.
• Change the oven setting to broil. Place gratins on the upper rack of the oven and broil carefully until the custard bubbles and browns, about 1 1/2 minutes. Watch very carefully; do not burn.

BAKED PEARS WITH VANILLA MASCARPONE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425°F. Slice off the bottom of each pear just enough so it will stand upright. Using a melon baller or small spoon, remove the seeds from the bottom. Peel the upper half, leaving the stem intact; pat dry with a paper towel. Rub butter over the peeled part of each pear; stand the pears in a small baking dish (about 7 × 11 inches). Sprinkle with the sugar.
• Pour the wine into the baking dish; add the thyme sprigs, if using. Bake until the pears are soft when pierced with a paring knife and well browned, about 45 minutes; using a small spoon, baste the pears occasionally with the wine, adding a bit of water as needed to prevent the liquid from evaporating. Remove from the oven.
• Spoon some of the pan juices into each serving dish, and place a pear on top. Serve with a dollop of mascarpone and several biscotti on the side.
• Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl, and stir together with a wooden spoon.

BAKED PEARS WITH VANILLA MASCARPONE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Slice off bottom end of each pear just enough so that it will stand upright. Using a melon baller or small spoon, remove seeds from the bottom. Peel upper half, leaving stem intact, and pat dry with a paper towel. Rub butter over peeled part of each pear, and arrange pears in a small baking dish (about 7 by 11 inches) so they are standing. Sprinkle with the sugar.
• Pour wine into baking dish; add thyme sprigs, if using. Bake until pears are soft when pierced with a paring knife and well browned, about 45 minutes; using a small spoon, baste pears occasionally with the wine, adding a bit of water as needed to prevent liquid from evaporating. Remove from oven.
• To serve, spoon some of the pan juices into each serving dish, and place a pear on top. Serve with a dollop of mascarpone and several biscotti on the side.