Gorgonzola Pear Appetizer Toasts Recipes

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the pear, cheese and hazelnuts. Spoon into tart shells. Place on ungreased baking sheets. , Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes or until shells are lightly browned. Serve warm.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Make toasts: Brush each slice of baguette with olive oil and season with salt. Toast in oven until golden and crisp.
• Spread Gorgonzola cheese on toasts and top with 2 thin slices of pear. Drizzle honey over, then sprinkle walnuts. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F. Cut thin slice from rounded side of pear halves, if necessary, so they'll rest level in pan. In 13x9-inch pan, arrange pear halves, cut sides up. Brush tops of pears with oil; sprinkle with salt, pepper and rosemary.
• Roast uncovered 15 minutes. Fill cored hollow of each pear half with 2 teaspoons cheese. Roast uncovered 10 to 15 minutes longer or until pears are tender and cheese is soft. Sprinkle with walnuts. Drizzle with additional olive oil if desired.

Steps:

• Slice a pear along the side and place a piece on the cracker. Put a piece of the gorgonzola cheese on top of the pear slice.
• Breakup the walnuts into smaller pieces and place them on top of the cheese. The cheese should hold them to the canape.
• Drizzle some honey to sweeten. Tip: You can also add a slice of date instead of honey.

Steps:

• Halve and core the pears, then cut each one into 12 small wedges. Place in a heavy-based saucepan with the honey, port and wine. Cook for 5-10 minutes or until the pears are just tender when pierced with the tip of a sharp knife (they shouldn't be soft).
• Carefully tip the pears into a sieve set over a small saucepan and allow them to drain thoroughly.
• Reduce the liquid in the saucepan by two-thirds - it should have a syrupy consistency like runny honey. This will take 10-12 minutes. Pour the syrup into a small bowl and allow to cool while you prepare the bruschettas.
• Preheat the grill to hot. Cut the bread into 24 slices and brush both sides of each slice with olive oil. Grill until the bruschettas are golden on both sides. This only takes a minute, so keep watch.
• Spread each bruschetta with a little gorgonzola and top with a poached pear wedge. Arrange the bruschettas on a serving plate and drizzle with the port syrup using a teaspoon. Sprinkle over a little mustard and cress.
• Prepare ahead: you can poach the pears the day before and serve them cold - they're just as nice. Take them out of the syrup and reduce, then store the pears and syrup in separate plastic containers in the fridge. If the syrup is too thick the next day, add a little warm water, and if it is too thin, you can reduce it by simmering for a minute or two.