Roasted Pears with Pecorino Cheese highlight the beauty of minimal ingredients. Roasting pears brings out their deep, rich flavors. The Pecorino cheese layers in a delightful savory touch. I always enjoy serving this dish for special gatherings or indulgent moments.
Contents
Roasted Pears with Pecorino Cheese recipe
Roasted Pears with Pecorino Cheese is a delightful appetizer. The dish combines baked pears’ sweetness with Pecorino cheese’s savory flavor. It creates a unique and satisfying dish.
The pears caramelize to perfection during roasting. The Pecorino cheese adds a nutty, salty, creamy contrast. I’ve added quince jelly, or membrillo. This Spanish specialty complements pears and balances well with cheese.
These roasted pears work beautifully as an elegant appetizer on a bed of greens like rocket, spinach, or winter greens, drizzled with honey and balsamic. For added flavor and crunch, serve them with membrillo, olives, and chopped walnuts.
The dish is perfect for sophisticated snacks, such as on crostini or toast. It also makes a wonderful salad when combined with shaved pecorino, spinach, toasted almonds, and a lemon vinaigrette.
This versatile recipe fits seamlessly onto any cheeseboard or as an accompaniment to roasted chicken and crunchy breads. For drink pairings, try it with red wines, Champagne, or dry rosés. Hard cider, Manhattan, or sparkling cider work well, too
I hope you enjoy this rustic, simple dish. This is how to make healthy roasted pears with Pecorino cheese.
Roasted Pears with Pecorino
Nutrition
Ingredients
- 2 small blush or cornice pears
- Pecorino Romano cheese
- 4 tsp of membrillo quince jelly
- Rocket and Spinach leaves
- A handful of walnuts
- Honey
- Balsamic Vinegar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180oC and line a baking tray with foil.
- Halve and core the pears, place onto the tray and roast in the oven. Roast for about 20 minutes, turning the pears over halfway through, until just soft and tinged brown at the edges.
- Remove from oven and fill the centres of the pear halves with membrillo, about a teaspoon in each. Cover with thinly sliced pecorino.
- Return to oven for 5-10 minutes, until the pecorino is just beginning to brown. It doesn’t melt completely – it holds its shape, but it takes on a wonderful flavour.
- Prepare plates with a handful of rocket and spinach leaves and put the pear halves on top. The leaves will begin to just wilt slightly. Drizzle with honey and balsamic – you do not need very much of either, so as not to overpower the pears and cheese. Garnish with a few walnut halves and serve immediately.
Notes
SIMILAR RECIPES:
Variations
Roasted pears with Pecorino cheese are prepared in various creative ways. Here are some notable variations:
- Sweet and Savory Combinations
- Crostini involves Pecorino cheese and baked pears on toasted bread.
- Glaze pears with cranberry juice, balsamic vinegar, and honey.
- Serve this dish as an appetizer or snack.
- Salads Featuring Roasted Pears
- Combine baked pears, almonds, and spinach in a salad.
- Dress the salad with roasted lemon vinaigrette.
- Pecorino contrasts with the pears’ sweetness.
- Almonds add a crunchy texture to the salad.
- Alternative Ingredients
- Substitute figs for pears for a new flavor.
- Swap Pecorino with Gorgonzola cheese for variety.
- Variations maintain a balance of flavors.
- Seasonal Variations
- Layer roasted pears on crostoni with rosemary.
- Prepare this appetizer ahead of time for convenience.
- Serve this dish at gatherings for seasonal appeal.
The first time I made this, I was skeptical about how the flavors would work together. But one bite, and I was hooked! It’s a delightful surprise for the taste buds.