; Supermarket Serenade: Thanksgiving Appetizers-Blue Cheese Cranberry Pear Toasts

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Thanksgiving Appetizers-Blue Cheese Cranberry Pear Toasts

Pssst...shhh...this is a secret.

I can't believe I am doing this, but I am about to share with you a top secret recipe. This is an appetizer recipe so secret that I have never shared it with another soul, until now.

Ok I'm being overly dramatic it's really not that unique, but let me tell you it's good...I hope you will agree. I love the blue cheese/pear/cranberry combination; it's great for a salad, it's great for a filling and it makes great appetizers. In this version the cheese is melted on toasts, but the spread is equally delicious served cold.

Super Tips:
Choose your blue cheese carefully. Pick one that you know you love and one that isn't too bitter-it's all about the cheese here.

Toast your bread ahead of time if you need to. Place toasts in a plastic bag until ready to use. Don't refrigerate the toasted bread or it will get soft.

For a low carb version, skip the bread completely and just serve the cheese spread cold on pear slices.
Serve the cheese spread on crackers or celery.

Walnuts make a fine substitution for the pecans or if you prefer leave the nuts out completely.

Blue Cheese Cranberry Pear Toasts

24-1/2 inch thick slices French bread
cooking spray
4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
4 ounces blue cheese, room temperature
1/4 cup pecans (be generous)
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 Bosc pear, very thinly sliced

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Spray both sides of the bread slices with the cooking spray. Arrange bread slices on a large baking sheet and bake until lightly toasted, about 7 minutes.

In a small food processor combine the cream cheese, blue cheese, pecans, cranberries and cayenne pepper; process until just combined, but not smooth. Spread the cheese mixture onto one side of the toasts. Arrange a thin slice of pear on each toast.
Bake in the oven for 5-6 minutes or until lightly browned.
Yield: 24 toasts

Sweet!! Guess what's coming next??? My first giveaway!! Stay tuned!

12 comments:

The Blonde Duck said...

Those are so elegant! Thanks for sharing!

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

They are so very elegant. I think a flute of champagne would go nicely with your toasts. Ok, it's settled, we're all going to your house for Thanksgiving.

Maria said...

What a great way to start the feast!

Allie said...

This looks AMAZING, yummy!

That Girl said...

I LOVE blue cheese and apples!!!!

Mary Bergfeld said...

This is a great quick starter. Please keep them coming.

Jersey Girl Cooks said...

I am loving these appetizers. Keep them coming!

RecipeGirl said...

I love LOVE this app idea. I'm afraid I'd have to eat it on a day other than Thanksgiving though. I'd eat too many of these and not have any room for turkey!

Emily said...

Ohhh yeahhhh. Look at how thin you sliced the pears!

amycaseycooks said...

This is going on my appetizer list for the holiday season. The combo of ingredients is one of my favorites!

Linda said...

This looks absolutely elegant. I am going to make this for Christmas Eve. We are going to our daughter's in Atlanta and will have a house full. This will be just right. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. ~Linda

Anonymous said...

Those look amazing. I actually love blue cheese but have a horrid allergy to goats milk. I'll try and switch it up... sounds devine!

~Cat