Pear Gorgonzola Crostini Recipes

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.

GORGONZOLA PEAR CROSTINI

Steps:

• Preheat grill to 350 to 400 degrees.
• Grill pear wedges, covered with grill lid, 1-2 minutes on each side or until golden brown.
• Stir together cream cheese, Gorgonzola, butter, and sherry.
• Top each baguette slice with about 1/2 TBSP cheese mixture.
• Top with grilled pears; sprinkle with pecans and rosemary, and drizzle with honey.

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.

GORGONZOLA WALNUT CROSTINI WITH PEAR SALAD

Steps:

• Make the vinaigrette: Put the shallot in a small bowl with the vinegar and a good pinch of salt and pepper to taste. Let macerate for 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in the mustard, then whisk in the oils. Taste and adjust seasoning.
• Make the crostini: Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and brown, turning frequently. When it begins to soften, season generously with salt and pepper; reduce heat to medium. Continue cooking for about 5 minutes, until nicely caramelized. Add the rosemary and transfer to a bowl to cool to room temperature.
• Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Put the bread in the toaster until lightly browned, then lay the slices on a baking sheet. Spread about 1/2 ounce Gorgonzola on each toast, then top with the onion mixture and 3 or 4 walnut halves.
• Bake on the top shelf of the oven until bubbling and lightly browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Cut into wedges if desired.
• Assemble the salad: Put the greens and chopped celery in a low wide salad bowl. Just before serving, lightly sprinkle with salt and pepper, then toss with half the vinaigrette, just coating the leaves. Peel, core and slice the pears. Dress the slices with the rest of the vinaigrette in a separate bowl, spoon the pears over the salad, and serve with the warm crostini on the side.