Description
These baked pears are a delightful combination of sweet and savory flavors. Soft roasted pears are topped with creamy feta, tart cranberries, and a drizzle of honey for an elegant dessert or appetizer that’s simple yet stunning.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Serves 4:
- 4 ripe but firm pears (e.g., Bartlett or Anjou), halved and cored
- 100 g (3.5 oz) feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup (30 g) dried cranberries
- 3 tablespoons honey (plus extra for drizzling)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
- Fresh thyme or mint leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- Prepare the pears:
- Halve the pears lengthwise and scoop out the cores using a spoon or melon baller. Arrange the pear halves cut side up in the prepared baking dish.
- Season the pears:
- Brush the cut sides of the pears with melted butter. Sprinkle with ground cinnamon.
- Bake the pears:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the pears are tender but still hold their shape.
- Add the toppings:
- Remove the pears from the oven and fill each cavity with crumbled feta cheese and dried cranberries. Drizzle with honey and sprinkle with chopped walnuts or pecans if using.
- Finish baking:
- Return the pears to the oven and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, until the feta is slightly melted and golden.
- Garnish and serve:
- Remove the pears from the oven and let them cool slightly. Garnish with fresh thyme or mint leaves, and drizzle with extra honey before serving. Serve warm.
Notes
- For an extra touch, use goat cheese instead of feta for a creamier texture.
- Substitute dried cranberries with raisins or chopped dried apricots for variety.
- This dish pairs beautifully with a crisp white wine or sparkling cider.