Baked Pears with Gorgonzola and Honey: A Quick, Elegant, and Delicious Appetizer for Any Special Occasion

These baked pears with gorgonzola and honey are the perfect combination of sweet and savory, making them an ideal appetizer for your next dinner party or holiday gathering. With just 5 ingredients and 20 minutes, you can create an impressive and mouthwatering dish that will delight your guests.

If you love the combination of fruit and cheese, this dish will become your go-to. I’m a fan of pairing pears and blue cheese, and I’ve enjoyed them both raw, like in this simple pear and blue cheese appetizer, and now baked. It’s just as delicious! This is a great way to add a touch of elegance to your special occasions, and it’s easy enough to prepare in no time.

I first made this dish for my husband’s birthday, and it disappeared within minutes! The sweet pears combined with tangy gorgonzola, a drizzle of honey, and a sprinkle of thyme and walnuts create a beautifully balanced bite that’s both sophisticated and satisfying.

Best Pears for Baking When baking pears, it’s best to choose pears that are ripe but still slightly firm, such as Concorde or Green Anjou. These varieties hold their shape well and don’t turn mushy after baking. Avoid overly ripe or soft pears, as they can become too delicate when baked.

How to Make Baked Pears with Gorgonzola and Honey This recipe is incredibly easy and only takes about 10 minutes of prep time and 10 minutes of baking. You’ll need just 5 ingredients, and it’s simple to prepare:

1. Prep the Pears: Start by cutting your pears in half and removing the seeds with a spoon or melon baller. Place the pear halves in a baking dish with the cut side facing up.

2. Add Honey and Thyme: Drizzle the pears with liquid honey and place a sprig of thyme on each half. Bake the pears in a preheated oven at 200°C (390°F) for about 10 minutes, or until the flesh is soft when pierced with a fork.

3. Stuff with Gorgonzola: Let the pears cool for a few minutes, then place a teaspoon of soft gorgonzola or any other blue cheese into each pear half.

4. Garnish and Serve: Top with walnut halves, drizzle with more honey if desired, and season with a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper. Serve either warm or cold, depending on your preference.

Serving Suggestions These baked pears with gorgonzola and honey can be served warm or at room temperature. If you prefer the cheese to be slightly melted, stuff the pears with cheese while they’re still warm. If you prefer the cheese to remain firm, wait until the pears have cooled down before adding the gorgonzola.

This elegant appetizer pairs wonderfully with a crisp white wine such as Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, or Prosecco.

Main Course Pairings If you’re hosting a dinner party, consider pairing these pears with one of these delightful main courses:

• Cauliflower Risotto with Caramelized Pears, Blue Cheese, and Walnuts

• Barley Risotto with Mushrooms and Goat Cheese

• Beet Galette with Goat Cheese

Recipe Overview:

• Course: Appetizer

• Cuisine: European

• Prep Time: 10 minutes

• Cook Time: 10 minutes

• Total Time: 20 minutes

• Servings: 6 servings

• Calories: 82 kcal per serving

Ingredients:

• 3 ripe but not too soft pears (e.g., Concorde or Green Anjou)

• 1 tablespoon liquid honey (plus more for drizzling)

• 4 sprigs thyme

• 6 teaspoons soft blue cheese like gorgonzola

• 6 walnut halves, for garnish

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (390°F).

2. Cut the pears in half and scoop out the seeds. Place the pear halves in a baking dish and drizzle with honey. Add thyme on top.

3. Bake for 10 minutes or until the flesh is soft when pierced with a fork. Let cool slightly.

4. Spoon gorgonzola cheese into each pear half, garnish with walnut halves, drizzle with more honey if desired, and season with salt and pepper.

5. Serve and enjoy!

Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.

This quick and elegant recipe will surely impress your guests and become a favorite at your next gathering!