Walnut Bread Crostini With Sauteed Pear Prosciutto Gorgonzola Cheese And A Balsamic Port Reduction Recipes

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.

Steps:

• Heat broiler.
• Place bread slices in single layer on baking sheet.
• Broil, 6 to 8 inches from heat, 1 to 2 min. on each side or until lightly toasted on both sides.
• Spread toast slices with cream cheese spread; top with prosciutto, arugula and pears.
• Sprinkle with pepper.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Spread butter over 1 side of each baguette slice. Arrange baguette slices on baking sheet, butter side up. Bake baguette slices until golden, about 12 minutes. Cool.
• Reduce oven temperature to 350°F. Mix walnuts, Gorgonzola and arugula in medium bowl. Spoon nut-cheese mixture evenly atop baguette toasts, pressing to adhere. Season toasts with pepper. Bake toasts just until cheese melts, about 6 minutes. Cool crostini slightly. Arrange crostini on platter. Garnish platter with arugula leaves and serve.

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.