Gorgonzola Pear Toasts Recipes

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.

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons reserved pear juice and olive oil and vinegar dressing. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Add arugula and toss to coat.
• Divide dressed arugula among 4 chilled salad plates. Top each salad with 4 pear slices, Gorgonzola, and pecans. Serve immediately.

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a rolling boil. Cook the penne in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes; drain.
• Return the drained pasta to the pot; stir the butter, Parmesan cheese, and Gorgonzola cheese into the pasta and place over medium heat; cook until the cheese is completely melted. Pour the cream into the pasta mixture; stir. Remove from heat and fold the pear into the pasta mixture. Top with walnuts. Season with pepper to serve.

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:

• 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.

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:

• Preheat oven to 400. Lightly brush 1 side of each baguette slice with olive oil. Place the slices on a baking sheet and toast 5 to 7 min, 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. Sprinkles with the parsley.