Description
Baked Pears with Berries, Honey, Walnuts & Blue Cheese are an elegant sweet-and-savoury appetiser featuring tender roasted pears filled with juicy berries and crunchy walnuts, lightly sweetened with honey and cinnamon, then finished with creamy blue cheese and fresh thyme.
Ingredients
For the Baked Pears:
3 ripe pears, such as Bosc or Bartlett, halved and cored
2 tablespoons butter, melted
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 cup fresh or frozen mixed berries
1/3 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
1/3 cup crumbled blue cheese
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, optional
Pinch of sea salt
Extra honey, for drizzling
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Arrange the pear halves cut-side up in a baking dish.
Brush each pear with melted butter.
Drizzle the honey evenly over the pear halves.
Divide the mixed berries between the hollowed centres of the pears.
Add the chopped walnuts to each pear.
Sprinkle lightly with cinnamon and a pinch of sea salt.
Bake for 25–30 minutes, until the pears are tender but still hold their shape and the berries are soft and juicy.
Remove the pears from the oven.
Sprinkle the crumbled blue cheese over each warm pear.
Return the baking dish to the oven for 2–3 minutes, just until the blue cheese begins to soften.
Remove from the oven.
Drizzle with extra honey.
Sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves if desired.
Serve warm.
Notes
Choose ripe but firm pears so they soften without losing their shape.
Leave the pear skins on for easier handling and attractive presentation.
Fresh or frozen berries can be used.
Avoid overbaking the pears.
Add the blue cheese near the end so it softens without completely melting.
Drizzle with honey immediately before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean