Description
A sophisticated and easy-to-make appetizer combining sweet, ripe pears with creamy Gorgonzola cheese, crunchy toasted pecans, and a drizzle of warm, spicy honey, perfect for elegant dinner parties.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4 ripe pears
- 100 g gorgonzola cheese
- 50 g pecan nuts (chopped)
Toppings and Seasonings
- 3 tablespoons honey (runny)
- ½ teaspoon cracked pink peppercorns (or freshly cracked black pepper)
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt flakes (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon crushed chili flakes
- 1 teaspoon rosemary (finely chopped, optional)
- 1 teaspoon thyme (leaves picked)
Instructions
- Prepare Pears: Wash and dry the pears. Slice them into wedges or halves depending on preference, ensuring they are evenly cut for consistent presentation.
- Toast Pecans: Heat a dry skillet over medium heat and toast the chopped pecan nuts for about 3-5 minutes until fragrant and slightly browned. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Assemble Appetizer: Arrange the pear slices on a serving plate. Crumble the gorgonzola cheese over the pears evenly.
- Add Herbs and Spices: Sprinkle the finely chopped rosemary and thyme leaves over the pears and cheese. Add the cracked pink peppercorns, sea salt flakes if using, and crushed chili flakes evenly for balanced seasoning.
- Drizzle Honey: Warm the honey slightly to make it runnier if needed, then drizzle generously over the assembled pears, cheese, nuts, and herbs, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Serve: Serve immediately as a classy appetizer or side dish, enjoying the blend of sweet, salty, creamy, and nutty flavors together.
Notes
- This appetizer pairs beautifully with a crisp white wine or sparkling wine.
- Use ripe but firm pears to avoid overly mushy texture.
- For a nut-free version, omit pecans or substitute with toasted sunflower seeds.
- Adjust chili flakes to taste for desired spiciness level.
- Serve fresh to maintain the contrast between the warm honey and cool pears and cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
