Caramelized Pear and Sage Crostini
Leigh Beisch
Sweet pears and sharp blue cheese create an exciting yet homey appetizer. Serve them with sparkling wine, or a slightly sweet white wine. Prep and Cook Time: 30 minutes. Notes: Baguette slices can be toasted up to 1 day ahead and kept in an airtight container until ready to use.
How to Make It
Step 1
1
Preheat oven to 375°. Melt 3 tbsp. butter in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add pears and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until pears are soft, about 10 minutes.
Step 2
2
Meanwhile, cut baguette into 16 slices (1/4 in. thick; see Notes). Spread slices with remaining 1 tbsp. butter and arrange on a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake slices until well toasted, 10 to 15 minutes.
Step 3
3
When pears are soft, stir in sage and remove from heat. Top toasted baguette slices with pear mixture and blue cheese. Sprinkle with pepper. Serve warm.
Step 4
4
Note: Nutritional analysis is per crostino.
Ingredients
4 tablespoons butter, divided
3 ripe Bartlett pears, cored, peeled, and chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 white or whole-wheat baguette
6 sage leaves, chopped
1/4 cup crumbled mild blue cheese
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Step 1
1
Preheat oven to 375°. Melt 3 tbsp. butter in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add pears and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until pears are soft, about 10 minutes.
Step 2
2
Meanwhile, cut baguette into 16 slices (1/4 in. thick; see Notes). Spread slices with remaining 1 tbsp. butter and arrange on a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake slices until well toasted, 10 to 15 minutes.
Step 3
3
When pears are soft, stir in sage and remove from heat. Top toasted baguette slices with pear mixture and blue cheese. Sprinkle with pepper. Serve warm.
Step 4
4
Note: Nutritional analysis is per crostino.
