Description
Delightfully sweet and savory baked pears topped with creamy feta cheese, tangy dried cranberries, and a drizzle of honey, enhanced with fresh thyme and a touch of olive oil. This easy and elegant recipe makes a perfect appetizer or light dessert, combining the natural sweetness of pears with the salty richness of feta and the tartness of cranberries.
Ingredients
Scale
Pears and Toppings
- 4 ripe but firm pears, halved and cored
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries, chopped
- 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 reaches the perfect temperature for baking the pears evenly.
- Prepare the Pears: Halve the pears lengthwise and carefully scoop out the cores to create a small well in each half, which will hold the toppings.
- Arrange and Fill Pears: Place the pear halves cut-side up in a baking dish. Drizzle each with olive oil, then fill the hollow centers with crumbled feta cheese and chopped dried cranberries.
- Bake the Pears: Bake the pears in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until they soften slightly and the feta begins to melt and brown a little.
- Add Finishing Touches: Remove the baking dish from the oven, drizzle the baked pears with honey, and sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves. Season lightly with salt and pepper to enhance the flavors.
- Optional Garnish: For extra texture and flavor, top the pears with chopped walnuts before serving.
Notes
- Choose pears that are ripe but still firm to ensure they hold their shape while baking.
- Adjust honey quantity to taste for desired sweetness.
- For a vegan version, substitute feta with a plant-based cheese and use maple syrup instead of honey.
- Serve warm as a sophisticated appetizer or paired with a green salad for a light meal.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and gently reheated before serving.
