“Half memoir, half travel, A Yank Back to England...is an absolutely wonderful book, not only about going home again but also about love and family and tradition and the passage of the years.”
—Michael Dirda, Pulitzer Prize-winning literary critic (Washington
Post)
To see the entire quote, click here.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Don't knock the stuffing!


Here’s a refreshing, very simple starter to add to your repertoire. The Stilton cheese make this a very proper English dish. This recipe is enough for at least four servings, with a half a pear per guest. Of course, you might like this so much you’ll need a whole pear!
You need two ounces of Stilton and the same amount of cream cheese. Two ripe pears, salad fixings, a lemon, and olive oil.

Here’s what you do.

Crumble the Stilton (no nibbling!), then combine with the cream cheese and whip—we use a mini food-processor for this—until well blended. Use any pears that look and feels nice and ripe. Chill down the pears for an hour or two, then peel and slice in half. Use a spoon to core them out, then spoon the cheese mixture into the hollows you have so cleverly created. I serve the pear halves on a little bed of lettuce garnished with endive spears, and walnut halves that have been sautéed in butter for just a minute.

The pear halves and salad bits are dressed with a vinaigrette made of lemon juice, olive oil, a pinch of salt, and a little sugar. Freshly ground pepper is the final touch.

This is a refreshing and delicious starter, and so simple to put together. Too simple? Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it!

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yeah, but is it as good as that fish 'n chips supper Denis?

The Prodigal Tourist said...

Aaah...that was lovely, wasn't it! And great company too.

Martha said...

pear and stilton is a perfect "pair"!

parTea lady said...

That sounds delicious and it looks very elegant. I could make a meal out of it (trying to cut down on meat). :-)

Thanks for the recipe.

Melissa said...

This looks so delicious! I love trying new recipes.

Dropping by to let you know that you've won a blogger award! You can claim it at: http://americangirlinbristol.blogspot.com/2010/05/honest-scrap-award.html

I hope you enjoy the award and that you have a great weekend. :)

Linda Jennings said...

Oooh, looks so good!

Expat mum said...

Mmm. One of my fave combinations in a salad (with some walnuts too.) I will deifnitely remember this.

The Prodigal Tourist said...

So pleased everyone likes this! It has become a new favorite here and, if spring ever returns, we will have it again...

Anonymous said...

Not fair, cooks must nibble! It's a rule.

AV

Tess Kincaid said...

I'm serving this one to my next summer guests! Yummers!