Pear, Blue Cheese and Honey Crustinis with Balsamic Drizzle

So far, I’m digging twenty fourteen. I may be jumping the gun only sixteen days in, but I’ve already had quite a bit of fun and I just booked a whole lot more.

On the books in the next few months, Vegas, NYC, Dallas, Atlanta and Denver. And if I can swing the time off, maybe a little hop over the pond to Europe.

But my favorite part of this new chapter is the cooking remix that has been happening. I’m revisiting a bunch of my old buddies. I’m calling them up, having them for dinner and giving them a little makeover.

I’ve made this dish before on Sundays when my whole family is together. Last weekend, Josh was having his last meal on US soil until the late spring. The pressure was on for a great last meal.

With a little extra kick with the balsamic drizzle, this dish got even more irresistible. Basically, I should have made double.

You will need…

2 pears, sliced 1/8 inch thick and halve dif the pieces are large

1 baguette, sliced ¼ inch thick

1 cup crumbled blue cheese

2 tablespoons honey

¼ cup balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Start by preheating your oven to 400 degrees F.

Spread out the bread slices on a baking sheet and lightly brush them with the olive oil.

Bake the bread in the oven until slightly toasted. About 8 minutes.

While the crustinis are baking, pour the vinegar into a small saucepan and heat over medium high. Bring the vinegar to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Simmer until the vinegar has reduced by half.

When the crustinis are toasty, pull them out of the oven and top each one with a pear slice and ½ tablespoon blue cheese. Season well with salt and pepper to taste.

Pop them back in the oven and toast for another 5 minutes. Just until the blue cheese starts to melt.

Remove them from the oven and place them on a platter.

Drizzle with honey and reduced balsamic.

Love and Beer Floats

Angela

Pear, Blue Cheese and Honey Crustinis with Balsamic Drizzle

2 pears, sliced 1/8 inch thick and halve dif the pieces are large

1 baguette, sliced ¼ inch thick

1 cup crumbled blue cheese

2 tablespoons honey

¼ cup balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Start by preheating your oven to 400 degrees F.

Spread out the bread slices on a baking sheet and lightly brush them with the olive oil.

Bake the bread in the oven until slightly toasted. About 8 minutes.

While the crustinis are baking, pour the vinegar into a small saucepan and heat over medium high. Bring the vinegar to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Simmer until the vinegar has reduced by half.

When the crustinis are toasty, pull them out of the oven and top each one with a pear slice and ½ tablespoon blue cheese. Season well with salt and pepper to taste.

Pop them back in the oven and toast for another 5 minutes. Just until the blue cheese starts to melt.

Remove them from the oven and place them on a platter.

Drizzle with honey and reduced balsamic.