Description
Delightfully sweet and savory, these Blue Cheese Stuffed Pears are an easy-to-make appetizer or side dish featuring ripe Bosc pears baked until tender, then filled with creamy Danish blue cheese, crunchy walnuts, fresh thyme, and a drizzle of honey spiced with Aleppo pepper for a perfect balance of flavors.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Pears and Oil
- 3 large Bosc pears
- 1–2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
Stuffing
- 2 1/2 oz Danish blue cheese, crumbled
- 1/3 cup walnuts, chopped
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves removed from stems
Topping
- 1–2 tbsp honey
- 1/2 tsp Aleppo pepper
- Flaky salt, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400℉ (204℃) to prepare for baking the pears.
- Prepare pears: Slice each Bosc pear in half lengthwise and carefully remove the core and seeds. Arrange the halves cut side down in a cast iron skillet or baking dish, then drizzle with olive oil and season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Bake pears first round: Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake the pears cut side down for 15 minutes until they begin to soften.
- Stuff pears: Remove the skillet from the oven and turn the pears cut side up. Fill the centers with the crumbled blue cheese, chopped walnuts, and sprinkle the fresh thyme leaves evenly over the filling.
- Bake stuffed pears: Return the skillet to the oven for another 8 to 10 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt slightly and the flavors to meld.
- Prepare honey drizzle: While the pears bake, combine honey with Aleppo pepper in a small bowl, stirring to blend the sweet and mildly spicy flavors.
- Serve: Once the pears are done, transfer them carefully to a serving platter or individual plates. Drizzle the honey and Aleppo pepper mixture on top, then garnish with flaky salt and extra thyme sprigs if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- If you prefer a milder flavor, substitute blue cheese with a milder soft cheese like goat cheese.
- Walnuts can be lightly toasted beforehand to enhance their crunch and flavor.
- Aleppo pepper can be substituted with smoked paprika or mild chili powder if unavailable.
- This dish pairs well with a crisp white wine or sparkling water for a refreshing contrast.
- Use ripe but firm pears to ensure they hold their shape during baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pear half
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
