Description
Festive and healthy pear appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
1 bunch fresh thyme
2 USA Pears, (1 red like Anjou and 1 green like Bartlett), cored, halved, and cut into 1/4-inch slices
1 large baguette, cut on an angle into 1/2-inch slices
4 tablespoons butter, divided
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup shredded mild Spanish Manchego cheese
Freshly ground black pepper, optional
1/4 cup fresh pomegranate seeds
Instructions
- Heat oven 375F. Line two baking sheets with aluminum foil. Lightly coat with cooking spray.
- Spread several thyme sprigs over bottom of one baking sheet. Fan pear slices over top of thyme.
- Using two tablespoons of butter, spread butter lightly over 1 side of each bread slice and place butter-side-up on other baking sheet.
- Melt remaining butter in a small skillet over medium-high heat until foaming subsides. Add sugar and swirl until melted and starting to brown.
- Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice. Spoon mixture evenly over sliced pears.
- Bake pears and bread for 10 minutes.
- Arrange baked pears on top of crostini.
- Sprinkle each with some cheese. Return crostini to oven and bake for 5 to 6 minutes or until cheese is melted.
- Sprinkle with pepper, if desired and top with pomegranate seeds and fresh thyme leaves.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: appetizer
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: Italian