From “Starters: New Healthy Kitchen,” by Williams-Sonoma, makes 4 servings.
Ingredients
1 teaspoon butter, plus 1 tablespoon melted
2 green pears, such as Anjou or Comice, halved and cored
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 cup (2 ounces) Stilton cheese at room temperature
Watercress sprigs or arugula leaves for garnish (optional)
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
With 1 teaspoon butter, grease a baking dish just large enough to hold pears. Place pear halves in dish, cut side up, and drizzle with lemon juice. Fill cavity of each pear with 1 mounded tablespoon cheese.
Bake 15 minutes, then brush with melted butter and bake until fork-tender, about 10 more minutes. Serve warm, garnished with watercress, if using.
Wine ideas:
The strong cheese in these pears requires a wine that’s rich but not too heavy. It’s an excellent job for a chenin blanc from France’s Loire. Try a Vouvray such as Champalou or François Pinon Tradition, both of which run under $20.
Tara Q. Thomas
