Description
This delightful recipe features baked pears filled with tangy feta cheese, sweet dried cranberries, and a drizzle of honey, creating a perfect balance of flavors and textures. Enhanced with fresh thyme and optional walnuts for crunch, it’s an elegant and easy dish ideal for a light dessert or a sophisticated appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
Pears
- 4 ripe but firm pears, halved and cored
Fillings
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries, chopped
Toppings and Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: Chopped walnuts for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the pears evenly.
- Prepare the Pears: Halve the pears and carefully scoop out the cores to create a small well in each half, providing space for the filling.
- Assemble the Pears: Place the pear halves cut-side up in a baking dish. Drizzle each with olive oil. Fill the center wells with crumbled feta cheese and chopped dried cranberries for a flavorful combination.
- Bake: Bake the pears in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until they soften and the feta begins to melt, creating a creamy texture.
- Finish and Season: Remove the pears from the oven and drizzle them with honey to add sweetness. Sprinkle fresh thyme over the top, and season with salt and pepper to taste for added flavor depth.
- Optional Garnish: For an added crunch and nutty flavor, sprinkle chopped walnuts over the pears before serving.
Notes
- Select pears that are ripe yet firm to hold their shape during baking.
- Adjust the amount of honey to your preferred sweetness level.
- To make this dish nut-free, omit the walnuts garnish.
- Serve warm as a dessert or alongside a fresh green salad as an appetizer.
- Use fresh thyme for a more vibrant flavor than dried thyme.
