Gorgonzola Walnut And Cabernet Spread 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:

• 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:

• Reserve 1 tablespoon of the Gorgonzola and 1 tablespoon of the walnuts for garnish.
• In food processor, place the rest of the ingredients except the parsley.
• Cover and process just until blended.
• *If you don't have a food processor, you can mix with an electric mixer on medium speed in a glass bowl.
• Stir remaining walnuts into cheese mixture.
• Spoon into shallow serving bowl.
• Sprinkle with reserved Gorgonzola, walnuts, and the parsley.

Steps:

• Reserve 1 tablespoon of the Gorgonzola cheese for garnish. In food processor, place cream cheese, remaining Gorgonzola cheese, half-and-half and pepper. Cover and process just until blended. Reserve 1 tablespoon of the walnuts for garnish. Stir remaining walnuts into cheese mixture. Spoon into shallow serving bowl. Sprinkle with reserved Gorgonzola cheese, walnuts and the parsley. Serve with bread slices and apple slices. Tips: Here's a delicious spread you can make up to 3 days ahead of time. Store covered in the refrigerator. *To toast walnuts, bake uncovered in an un-greased shallow pan at 350°F for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown.

Steps:

• Put the onions, olive oil, thyme sprig, and a large pinch of salt in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft, moist, and steaming in their own juices but not browned, about 30 minutes. Uncover, raise the heat to medium, and continue cooking, stirring often, until the onions are well caramelized and meltingly tender, 15 minutes or more depending on how moist they are.
• Cut the endives crosswise into 1-inch pieces. Separate into individual layers. Discard the cores. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the butter, endive, sugar, lemon juice, and salt to taste. Cook until the endives are soft and tender, stirring occasionally to prevent browning, 5 to 10 minutes. You should have about 1 cup.
• Bring the balsamic vinegar to a boil in a small saucepan. Simmer until reduced to 2 tablespoons, about 5 minutes. Let cool.
• At least 45 minutes before baking, put a pizza stone on a rack in the bottom third of the oven and preheat the oven to its highest setting (500°F to 550°F).
• With lightly floured fingers on a lightly floured work surface, flatten a ball of pizza dough into a round. Pick up the round with both hands and, grasping the round by an edge, rotate the dough clockwise between your fingertips, always holding it by the edge. As you rotate the dough, stretch it into an 8-inch circle; the dough will also stretch and lengthen from its own weight. Alternatively, drape the flattened round over your lightly floured knuckles and rotate the dough, moving your knuckles slightly farther apart, until the round stretches into an 8-inch circle.
• Place the dough on a pizza peel lightly dusted with cornmeal or durum flour. Work quickly now to prevent sticking.
• Spread one-quarter of the onion mixture over the dough. Scatter about 1/4 cup endive over the onions, then place several small spoonfuls of the cheese on top, using a total of 1 1/2 ounces. Slide onto the pizza stone and bake until the crust is brown and crisp, about 10 minutes. Remove from the oven. Scatter 1 tablespoon chopped walnuts and a sprinkle of parsley on top and drizzle with 1 1/2 teaspoons of the balsamic syrup. Cut into serving slices and serve while still warm. Repeat with the remaining 3 balls of dough.
• Enjoy with Cakebread Cellars Dancing Bear Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon or another full-bodied red wine.

Steps:

• To toast walnuts, cook in ungreased heavy skillet over medium-low heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently until browning begins, then stirring constantly until fragrant and golden brown. Remove walnuts from skillets and spread on plate to cool slightly.
• In blender or food processor, place 1/3 cup toasted walnuts and remaining dressing ingredients. Cover and blend on high speed about 1 minute or until smooth.
• In large bowl, toss remaining 1/3 cup toasted walnuts and salad ingredients. Pour dressing over salad mixture; toss gently until salad is evenly coated.

Steps:

• Reserve 1 tablespoon of the Gorgonzola cheese for garnish. In food processor, place cream cheese, remaining Gorgonzola cheese, half-and-half and pepper. Cover and process just until blended.
• Reserve 1 tablespoon of the walnuts for garnish. Stir remaining walnuts into cheese mixture. Spoon into shallow serving bowl. Sprinkle with reserved Gorgonzola cheese, walnuts and the parsley. Serve with bread slices and apple slices.