Description
Delightful baked pears stuffed with tangy feta cheese, sweet dried cranberries, and drizzled with honey, fresh thyme, and olive oil. This easy-to-make appetizer or dessert combines warm, soft fruit with savory and sweet flavors, finished with a crunchy walnut garnish option for added texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruit
- 4 ripe but firm pears, halved and cored
Cheese and Nuts
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- Optional: Chopped walnuts for garnish (about 1/4 cup)
Dried Fruit
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries, chopped
Liquids and Oils
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Herbs and Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- Salt and pepper, to taste
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 lengthwise and carefully scoop out the cores, creating a small well in each half to hold the filling.
- Assemble the pears: Place the pear halves cut-side up in a baking dish. Drizzle them evenly with olive oil, then fill each well with crumbled feta cheese and chopped dried cranberries.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, until the pears are tender and the feta cheese begins to melt and bubble slightly.
- Finish and season: Remove the pears from the oven, drizzle with honey, and sprinkle fresh thyme leaves over the top. Season with salt and pepper according to taste.
- Add garnish: Optionally, sprinkle chopped walnuts on top for a satisfying crunch and extra flavor before serving.
Notes
- Choose pears that are ripe but still firm to prevent them from becoming mushy during baking.
- You can substitute fresh thyme with rosemary or sage for a different herbal profile.
- For a nuttier flavor, toast the walnuts lightly before garnishing.
- This dish can be served warm as an appetizer, side dish, or even a dessert.
- Adjust the salt carefully as feta is naturally salty.
