Description

This Elegant Blue Cheese Stuffed Pears recipe offers a sophisticated blend of sweet and savory flavors. Ripe pears are halved and cored, then filled with a luscious mixture of crumbled blue cheese, toasted walnuts, and honey. Baked to tender perfection and finished with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and extra honey, these pears make a delightful appetizer or dessert with a beautiful presentation accented by fresh thyme sprigs.

Ingredients

Scale

Pears

4 ripe pears, halved and cored

Filling

½ cup blue cheese, crumbled
¼ cup chopped walnuts, toasted
1 tablespoon honey (plus extra for drizzling)

Seasoning & Garnish

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Fresh thyme sprigs (for garnish)

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Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it is at the right temperature for baking the pears evenly.
Prepare Pears: Slice the ripe pears in half and carefully remove the cores using a melon baller or spoon, creating a hollow space for the filling.
Arrange Pears: Place the pear halves cut side up on a baking sheet to hold the filling during baking.
Make Filling: In a small bowl, mix together the crumbled blue cheese, toasted chopped walnuts, and 1 tablespoon of honey until well combined.
Stuff Pears: Spoon the cheese and walnut mixture into the hollowed centers of each pear half, pressing gently to pack the filling securely.
Season: Drizzle the balsamic vinegar evenly over the stuffed pears and sprinkle with ground black pepper for a touch of spice and acidity.
Bake: Bake the pears in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the pears are tender and the cheese has softened and slightly melted.
Finish Touches: Remove the pears from the oven and drizzle with additional honey to add a final layer of sweetness.
Garnish and Serve: Garnish each stuffed pear with fresh thyme sprigs for an elegant appearance and serve warm.

Notes

You can substitute walnuts with pecans or almonds if preferred.
If blue cheese is too strong, use a milder cheese like goat cheese for a different flavor profile.
For a vegan version, substitute blue cheese with vegan cheese and use maple syrup instead of honey.
Be careful not to overbake the pears to maintain their shape and texture.
This dish works well as an appetizer, dessert, or elegant side dish.