Looking for new ways to make your own version of bruschetta? Try out my Roasted Pear and Blue Cheese Bruschetta and I promise you it will be worth it. This is an easy and ultimately delicious way to step up your appetizer game! This quirky hors d’oeuvre will guarantee a two thumbs up from all your guests.
So, you might be thinking about how I came up with such an unusual combination. What happened was a few weeks ago, one of our neighbors harvested their pears and gave us a basket full of it. This couldn’t have come at a better time as lately I’ve been experimenting on fruit and cheese combinations. I had some blue cheese left and thought it’s sharp flavor will go well with the light, sweet flavor of the pears.
It turned out to be one of the best ideas I’ve ever had! I drizzled it with some balsamic vinegar reduction, and it was oh so scrumpdillyicious! You already know I had to invite my other mom friends for brunch right that weekend. We all enjoyed it while talking about our holiday plans. I ended up making another batch which became like a cooking workshop since they all wanted to learn how to do it! 😉
How I Make Roasted Pear And Blue Cheese Bruschetta:
- I start by roasting the pear and baguette slices in the oven for about 10 minutes at 375°F. Then I take them out and add the blue cheese slices to the bread, return them to the oven for an additional 10 minutes. This is enough time to melt the cheese and for the pear to become tender.
- While waiting for the bruschetta to finish roasting, I use the time to make the balsamic vinegar reduction. I simply pour it into a small pan and simmer it until it has thickened and reduced.
- Take the bruschetta out of the oven and spread the melted cheese all over the bread before adding arugula on top. I then place the roasted pear, walnuts, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and honey. Enjoy!
Roasted Pear and Blue Cheese Bruschetta
This Roasted Pear and Blue Cheese Bruschetta may just win you the Best Party Host of the Year award! The intricate combination of flavors just makes you keep wanting more.
Ingredients
- ½ large French baguette
- 1 large Bartlett pear
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme leaves
- ½ teaspoon of sea salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 oz. blue cheese slices
- 1 cup balsamic vinegar
- ½ cup fresh arugula
- 1/3 cup walnuts, chopped finely
- 2 tablespoons honey
Instructions
- Move an oven rack to the middle position then preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Divide the baguette into two equal parts. Slice one half of the bread into 18 uniform pieces. Then line them up in a single layer on one part of a silicone baking mat or parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Keep the other half of the baguette for future use.
- Cut the pear in the middle from the stem down. Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds of the pear. Slice the hollowed-out halves of the pear into equal-sized thin pieces.
- Line the pieces up on the other half of the lined baking sheet.
- Lightly brush olive oil on the bread and pear slices. Season the pears with dried thyme leaves.
- Sprinkle salt and pepper on both the sliced pears and bread then pop it in the oven for about 10 minutes.
- Take the baking sheet out of the oven. Then add a slice of blue cheese to the sliced bread and flip the pears around. Put it back in the oven and leave it to roast for an additional 10 minutes.
- Once done, the blue cheese should be melted, and the sliced pears should be tender.
- While waiting, start the balsamic vinegar reduction. Pour the balsamic vinegar into a small nonstick pan placed over medium heat. Allow it to cook while consistently stirring until it has thickened and has reduced to about 1/3 of its original amount. This process should take about 10 minutes.
- Take the baking pan out of the oven. Evenly spread the melted cheese on the bread and arrange some fresh arugula on top of it. Then add the roasted pear slices and walnuts.
- Lastly, drizzle each assembled bruschetta with the honey.
- Then with the balsamic vinegar reduction.
- Serve while still warm. Bon Appetit!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 18 APPETIZERS Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 96Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 171mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 1gSugar: 6gProtein: 2g
See how easy it is to make an impressive and unique appetizer for your family and friends? I don’t know about you but whenever I make these, I feel like a top chef. Doesn’t it look like something you’ll get at an Italian restaurant? Anyway, I want to know what you think about this recipe. I’ll wait for you in the comments! Ciao! 😉
