Baked pears with goats cheese, honey, and walnuts are one of our favourite starter options for any dinner party near the festive season. What’s more, you can enjoy them as an elegant appetiser, side dish, or as a unique dessert with ice cream.
The goats cheese adds a delicious tang, which works perfectly with the sweetness of the pears. Ensure that you pick pears that aren’t yet super ripe, as harder pears will hold their shape better in the oven.
Keep reading for the full recipe – don’t forget to leave your thoughts in the comments below!
Method
Follow these steps to make our Baked Pears With Goats Cheese & Walnuts
Start by washing your pears and patting them dry. Using a sharp knife and a chopping board, cut each pear in half lengthways. Scoop out the middle of a pear using a spoon, ensuring you leave an edge at least 1 cm thick.
Brush your pears all over with high quality olive oil, before adding a dash of balsamic vinegar to the well of each pear. Crumble in your goat’s cheese until the well is full.
Top tip: if you’re preparing the baked pears in advance, complete them up until this stage. Refrigerate until your guests arrive before garnishing and cooking as normal.
Add your chopped walnuts and a sprinkle of salt to each pear and add them to a tray lined with parchment paper. Bake them in the oven at 180 degrees Celsius for 25 minutes, or until golden brown.
Once cooked, remove your pears from the oven and garnish with fresh thyme, a drizzle of honey, and another sprinkle of salt. Present your goats cheese stuffed pears on a bed of rocket leaves. Enjoy while it’s still hot!
Baked Pears As a Dessert
Baked pears are a classic dessert, but we serve ours with a twist. If you’d like to serve your baked pears at the end of your meal, rather than as a starter, just make these few simple changes:
- Swap the salt for a sprinkle of cinnamon
- Add an extra drizzle of honey
- Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream instead of rocket (we also love swapping normal cream for Baileys Extra Thick Cream)
Keep the goats cheese, chopped walnuts, and thyme as this adds an interesting but delightful flavour profile to the dish that is bound to impress any of your guests!
Easy Appetiser Recipes From Savery Grazing
We hope our simple but delicious baked pears make their way onto your next festive dinner party menu. If you’re looking for more menu inspiration, read our blog. Alternatively, follow us on Instagram or Facebook.
For fuss-free catering at your next event, why not get in touch with our team? We offer several grazing table packages which include our signature range of seasonal salads, alongside handmade sandwiches, posh picnic nibbles, crudités, and canapés. We can even make these baked pears with goats cheese and walnuts for you!
Related Questions
Do I Have To Peel Pears For Baking?
No, you don’t have to peel the pears before baking in this recipe, which is why it is so quick to put together! The skin actually helps the pear to hold its shape whilst in the oven.
Do Pears Have To Be Ripe To Bake?
No, pears don’t have to be ripe for baking in this recipe. In fact, we’d recommend pears that are still slightly firm as these hold their shape much better when in the oven.
When Are Pears in Season?
Depending on the variety, pears are in season from September through to January, but you can generally find them in supermarkets and farm shops year-round.Anjou and Comice Pears are best eaten during the festive season, as they are at their peak during November and December.
Read more in our Month-By-Month Seasonal Eating Guide.
Can I Use a Different Type Of Cheese?
While goats cheese complements the sweetness of the pears beautifully, you can experiment with other soft cheeses like blue cheese or brie for a different flavor profile. Just be mindful of the intensity of the cheese to ensure it doesn’t take away from the flavour of the pears.
What Wine Pairs Well With This Dish?
A crisp, slightly sweet white wine, such as a Riesling or a Gewürztraminer, complements the sweetness of the pears and enhances the flavors of the goat cheese. Alternatively, a light red wine like Pinot Noir can also be a good match. For more information on the best wine and food combinations, read our Wine Pairing Guide.
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