Gorgonzola Walnut Crostini With Pear Salad Recipes

PEAR & GORGONZOLA CROSTINI

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.

ARUGULA SALAD WITH PEARS AND GORGONZOLA

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.

GORGONZOLA CROSTINI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Place baguette slices in single layer on baking sheet. Toast in oven until golden, about 10 minutes.
• Sprinkle Gorgonzola on baguette slices. Sprinkle nuts over each. Drizzle each slice lightly with honey.

WALNUT BREAD CROSTINI WITH SAUTEED PEAR, PROSCIUTTO, GORGONZOLA CHEESE AND A BALSAMIC-PORT REDUCTION

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place the bread on a cookie sheet, brush with olive oil and bake until lightly golden brown.
• In a saute pan on medium heat, saute the pears in olive oil for 1 minute just to soften them. Season the pears with salt and pepper. Set aside.
• In a small saucepan or skillet on medium-high heat reduce the vinegar and port to 1/4 of its original volume. Pour into a small bowl and let cool. It will thicken as it cools.
• Place a piece of prosciutto on the walnut toasts, then a small piece of cheese, top with pear and then drizzle the vinegar-port reduction over the top.

SWEET PEAR AND GORGONZOLA SALAD WITH ROCKET, WATERCRESS, WALNUTS, AND ORANGE FLOWER HONEY

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
• Slice the pears in half lengthwise. Rub each half with a pinch of salt. Put parchment paper on a tray just large enough to hold the pears, and spread the sugar on the paper. There should be a 1/8-inch layer. Put the pear halves cut side down on the sugar and bake for 1 hour. When the pears are cool enough to handle, remove the cores and slice them crosswise into 1/8-inch sections.
• Put the lemon juice in a salad bowl with salt and pepper and mix to dissolve the salt, then whisk in the oil. Arrange the slices of pear 1 pear per plate, in 1 layer in the center of the plate, leaving a 3-inch gap in the center for the watercress and the rocket. Scatter the cheese and then the walnuts over the pears, and then drizzle the honey on top of the walnuts and cheese.
• Put the watercress, rocket, and basil in the salad bowl and toss together. Then place the salad in the center of the pears.
• Garnish with the flowers.

GORGONZOLA AND TOASTED WALNUT SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine lettuce with cheese and walnuts.
• Combine and whisk together dressing ingredients.
• Toss salad with enough dressing to coat but avoid over-dressing.
• Serve.