Baked Pears with Whipped Goat Cheese
These Baked Pears are topped with whipped thyme goat cheese, roasted until tender, and finished with balsamic glaze and chopped pecans.
Ingredients
Serves 4 people
For the baked pears:
- 2 ripe but firm pears Bosc or Anjou work well
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter melted
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
For the whipped goat cheese:
- 4 oz goat cheese softened
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves finely chopped
- 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
For serving:
- 2 tbsp balsamic glaze for drizzling
- ¼ cup pecans roughly chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the pears: Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Slice the pears lengthwise into approximately ¼-inch-thick slices, removing any seeds or tough core pieces. Arrange the slices in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
- Brush with butter: Lightly brush each pear slice with melted butter and season with a small pinch of salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
- Make the whipped goat cheese: In a food processor, combine the softened goat cheese, olive oil, fresh thyme, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed.
- Add the goat cheese: Spoon a small amount of the whipped goat cheese into the center of each pear slice, gently spreading it while leaving the edges of the pear exposed.
- Bake the pears: Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and bake at 425°F for approximately 8–10 minutes, or until the pears have softened slightly and the goat cheese begins to turn golden brown on top. For additional browning, broil for the final 1–2 minutes, watching closely.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the pears from the oven and transfer to a serving platter. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and finish with chopped pecans and a few fresh thyme leaves, if desired. Serve warm.