Epogne With Pears Ham And Blue Cheese Recipes

OVEN-ROASTED PEARS WITH CREAMY BLUE CHEESE

Steps:

• 1. Use apple corer to remove core from pear. Crosswise cut pear into 1/4-inch-thick rings. In small bowl toss together pear rings and olive oil. Arrange in single layer on baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at 400degrees F for 27 to 30 minutes or until soft and beginning to brown, turning once after 15 minutes. Set aside.
• 2. When pears are cool enough to handle, cut each ring into quarters.
• 3. Spread scant teaspoon of blue cheese on each KEEBLER TOWN HOUSE Original cracker. Top each with pear piece and pecan half.
• *NOTE: If you can't find glazed or candied pecan halves at your grocery store, make your own. In small saucepan combine 1/4 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons light corn syrup, 1 tablespoon butter and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Bring to boiling over high heat. Stir in 1 1/2 cups pecan halves. Cook, stirring constantly, for 3 minutes. Spread in single layer on baking sheet lined with foil and sprayed with cooking spray. Bake at 350degrees F for 12 to 15 minutes or until bubbling and browned, stirring once after 7 minutes. Cool completely. Break up. Store in airtight container for up to 1 week.

EPOGNE WITH PEARS, HAM AND BLUE CHEESE

Steps:

• Make the bread dough through Step 1. Meanwhile, peel, core and slice the pears thin. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the pear slices and saute until they begin to brown. Remove from the heat, cover the pan and let stand for 15 minutes. Trim the fat from the prosciutto and cut it into slivers. Set aside. Remove the rind from the cheese, crumble it into large pieces and set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Sprinkle a baking sheet lightly with the cornmeal. Punch the dough down. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out into a 10-inch circle. Top with the prosciutto slivers, then the pear slices and their juices. Season with the salt and pepper. Bake until the edge of the bread is golden, about 25 minutes. Sprinkle the cheese evenly over the top and continue to bake until the cheese melts, about 2 minutes. Cut into 6 wedges and serve.

BLUE CHEESE AND PEARS

Steps:

• Spread soft blue cheese on pear slices and drizzle with honey.

FIELD GREENS WITH PEARS AND BLUE CHEESE

Steps:

• Just before serving time, peel, core, and slice the pears. Combine the greens, pears, walnuts, and blue cheese in a large salad bowl. Drizzle half the Port-Shallot Dressing over the top and toss. Drizzle in the remaining dressing, tossing until the greens are well coated-you may not need to add all the dressing. (Leftover dressing can be kept refrigerated for up to 1 week for another use.) Season with salt and pepper, and toss again.
• Place on chilled salad plates and serve.
• Pour the port into a small heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add the shallots and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 15 minutes, or until the port is reduced to 2/3 cup without the shallots. Set aside to let cool.
• Pour the port and shallots into the conainer of a blender and puree. Add the vinegar and blend well. While the motor is running, drizzle the oil through the hole in the blender top and continue to blend until emulsified and smooth. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside; refrigerate if not using immediately.

ROASTED PEARS WITH BLUE CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Peel the pears and slice them lengthwise into halves. With a small sharp paring knife and a melon baller, remove the core and seeds from each pear, leaving a round well for the filling. Trim a small slice away from the rounded sides of each pear half so that they will sit in the baking dish without wobbling. Toss the pears with some lemon juice to prevent them from turning brown. Arrange them, core side up, in a baking dish large enough to hold the pears snugly.
• Gently toss the crumbled blue cheese, dried cranberries, and walnuts together in a small bowl. Divide the mixture among the pears, mounding it on top of the indentation.
• In the same small bowl, combine the apple cider, port, and brown sugar, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Pour the mixture over and around the pears. Bake the pears, basting occasionally with the cider mixture, for 30 minutes, or until tender. Set aside until warm or at room temperature.
• Just before serving, whisk together the olive oil, 1/4 cup of lemon juice, and 1/4 cup of the basting liquid in a large bowl. Divide the arugula among 6 plates and top each with a pear half. Drizzle each pear with some of the basting liquid, sprinkle with salt, and serve warm.