Caramelized Pear and Sage Crostini

If you throw the word caramelized into a recipe title, you pretty much have won my heart. recipes like my Spanish Beef Dips With Caramelized Manchego Onions, or my Chicken and Brie Quesadilla with Caramelized Onions and Chipotle Mango Salsa. In fact, just last night we had Carmaelized Onion Pie, but I'll share that with ya real soon.

So you can imagine, when I saw the recipe for Caramelized Pear and Sage Crostini, I was in 7TH heaven. This recipe was headed straight to the printer and I made it the very next day. I made it for an appetizer for an already to big dinner and it was a smashing success. I think this would also be good with a salad for a simple dinner.

Caramelized pears with blue cheese on a toasted baguette slice is a perfect combination. Good enough for guests, but I prefer it on a casual evening at home. Serve this with a sparkling wine or a slightly sweet white wine and... Enjoy!

Caramelized Pear and Sage Crostini

(Printable Recipe)
 Makes 16 crostini

Ingredients
4 tablespoons butter, divided
3 ripe Bartlett pears, cored, peeled, and chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 white or whole-wheat baguette
6 sage leaves, chopped
1/4 cup crumbled mild blue cheese
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 375°. Melt 3 tbsp. butter in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add pears and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until pears are soft, about 10 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, cut baguette into 16 slices (1/4 in. thick). Spread slices with remaining 1 tbsp. butter and arrange on a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake slices until well toasted, 10 to 15 minutes.
3. When pears are soft, stir in sage and remove from heat. Top toasted baguette slices with pear mixture and blue cheese. Sprinkle with pepper. Serve warm.
Sunset Magazine
September 2007