Pears With Roquefort and Sauternes Syrup

Submitted by DrGaellon

"A recipe by Kerry Saretsky, as published at Serious Eats. This can be lunch, an appetizer, dessert, or a cheese course. You could substitute Stilton or Gorgonzola for the Roquefort for a different flavor. The pears should be perfectly ripe, neither too hard nor too soft, and absolutely sweet. Any variety will do, as long as it meets those criteria. Since the Sauternes is cooked, it need not be a very expensive bottle (it can be pricy)."

 

• Ready In: 55mins
• Ingredients: 9
• Serves: 4

ingredients

• 4 tablespoons chopped walnuts
• 4 pears (see headnote)
• 2 teaspoons light olive oil
• salt
• ground black pepper
• 6 ounces Roquefort cheese (by weight)
• 1⁄4 - 1⁄2 cup Sauternes wine

• Syrup

• 1⁄2 cup Sauternes wine
• 1⁄4 cup sugar

directions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F Spread the walnuts on a baking sheet. Toast the walnuts in the preheated oven, 5-10 minutes, until fragrant and golden brown. Transfer to a plate to cool. Increase oven temperature to 375°F.
2. Remove stems from pears. Slice in half and remove core and any fibers with a melon baller. Rub pears all over with olive oil, then season with salt and pepper. Place each pear (2 halves) in an individual gratin dish.
3. Combine the cheese and walnuts. Pack this mixture into the cavity in each pear half. Add 1-2 tbsp Sauternes to each dish. Bake in preheated oven 30-35 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and pears are soft.
4. Meanwhile, in a small pot, combine 1/2 c Sauternes with sugar. Bring to a boil, whisking until sugar dissolves and syrup is clear. Remove from heat and let cool while pears finish baking. Drizzle syrup over pears before serving.