Pear, Pistachio & Parmesan Pinwheels

You’ll be the host with the most when you present these warm, flaky hors d’oeuvres to guests on New Year’s Eve. Diced USA pears are rolled up in puff pastry, with crunchy pistachios, piquant Parmesan, and a kick of cracked pepper, creating bite-sized bursts of flavor. Deceptively simple to prepare, and sweet and savory at the same time, they make the perfect cocktail accompaniment. 1 sheet frozen puff pastry (half a 17.3-ounce package), thawed 1 large egg, lightly beaten 1 cup finely diced USA Red Anjou or Bartlett pear (about ½ a large pear) ¼ cup ground pistachios ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese 1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper Place the pastry sheet on a clean work surface and roll it out to smooth the seams and create a 10-inch square. Cut the square in half, forming two 10-by-5-inch Continue reading

Pear and Celery Salad

Here is my modern take on a classic: pears and blue cheese in a salad. There are so many ways to use these two perfectly paired ingredients together, but this recipe combines them to create a side dish with perfect flavor, texture, and richness. I use crunchy celery as the salad’s base and include the tender inner celery stalks as well as the celery leaves – they have a delicious and light flavor that I adore. Beautiful, ripe pears are tossed in, adding tenderness and a honey-sweet flavor. A simple, light lemon vinaigrette glazes the celery and pears, and finally, the salad is topped with blue cheese crumbles and bits of savory, salty Marcona almonds. Serve this salad alongside simple roasted chicken or fish and prepare to be delighted. Ingredients Dressing ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (from about one Continue reading

Braised Pork with Pears and Sherry Vinegar

My latest recipe is for a simple and delicious pear and pork dish that makes an incredible Sunday dinner. First, sear the pork and sauté the onion. Then add pears, cider, and spices, and transfer to the oven for three hours. This recipe will fill your home with the sweet smells of autumn as it simmers away all afternoon. Another great reason to make this your Sunday dinner is that this recipe will make for wonderful leftovers. Braised dishes are known for tasting even better several days after they are made. This gives the ingredients more time to come together, and with the addition of just a splash of vinegar, this dish will have the perfect balance of sweet and savory. I served this braised pork with roasted sweet potatoes and a simple salad of mixed greens, ripe USA pear Continue reading