North Star Orchard • Pear Recipes

Pear Recipes

Apple/pear Crisp
1/2 c. chopped almonds or pecans 3 large baking apples ('Royalty' or 'Liberty' are good!) 2 large, firm 'Magness' pears 2 T. brandy or dark rum (if desired) 3/4 c. flour 2/3 c. granulated sugar 2 T. packed brown sugar 1/2 t. ground cinnamon 1/4 t. ground nutmeg 1/2 c. margarine or butter	Heat oven to 350 degrees. Core the apples and pears, and cut them into 1 inch chunks, or smaller slices if you prefer. (I prefer to leave the apple skin on, but you may peel them if you like). Spread the fruit evenly over the bottom of a shallow 2qt. baking dish. If desired, sprinkle the fruit with the brandy. Combine the flour, sugars, and spices in a mixing bowl. Using a pastry blender, a fork, or your fingers, cut the margarine or butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse bread crumbs. Mix in the nuts. Spread the topping evenly over the fruit. Bake the crisp until the fruit is tender and the crust is lightly browned...about 40 to 45 minutes. Serve warm....with a bit of ice cream if desired!
Pear Grilled Cheese
Margarine or softened butter 8 slices (1/2 inch thick) crusty french bread 4 slices muenster cheese 1 ripe 'Magness' pear, cored, cut in thin slices 4 teaspoons raspberry jam or jelly 8 oz. brie cheese, cut into 12 thin slices, rind removed	Spread margarine or butter evenly on one side of each slice of bread. On the unbuttered sides of four slices of bread, layer one slice of muenster cheese and four pear slices. Spread with equal amounts of raspberry jam or jelly. Top each with slices of brie cheese, and another slice of bread, buttered side out. Preheat a large skillet or griddle over low heat. Cover and cook sandwiches, in batches if necessary, for 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until golden and the cheeses are melted. Serve immediately. Serves four. Yum!
Pear Gorgonzola Bruschetta ‘GRILLED CHEESE’
Thank you to Sam G. for sending this recipe. Sam says, "We had this dish in a restaurant in Siena and have duplicated it at home. The pear, plus the cheese and the honey are a winning combination."
8 slices (1/2 inch thick) crusty french bread 8 slices Gorgonzola or other good blue cheese 2 ripe 'Magness' pears, cored, cut in thin slices 8 teaspoons honey	Preheat your broiler. Toast the bread on both sides. Put 2 slices of pear on each piece of bread. Put a slice of cheese on top of the pear, then a 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon of honey. Put the bread with the fruit and honey back under the broiler. When the honey bubbles, take the bread out. Serve immediately.