Just Had to Share

C was kind enough to let me post the recipe and a photo of her stuffed pears from this weekend.  They were fabulous!  And I will have to agree with her that this would also make a great spread on a sandwich or crackers.

Pears with Stilton, Cream and Walnuts
(adapted from England's Heritage Food and Cooking)

1/2 cup cream cheese
4 oz Stilton cheese with apricots (available at Trader Joe's)
2-3 Tbsp half and half
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 tsp butter
3 ripe pears
1 tbsp lemon juice
salad leaves
salt
pepper

Dressing:
4 Tbsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp sugar
4 Tbsp olive oil

Cream together the cream cheese and Stilton cheese. Add a few grinds of black pepper, then 2-3 Tbsp half and half and stir until creamy. Set aside.

Heat a cast iron skillet on medium heat and melt the butter in the pan. Add the chopped walnuts and toast for about 2 minutes, stirring frequently to avoid burning. Add a dash or two of salt to the toasting nuts. Remove from heat and place in separate bowl and allow to cool. Once cool, add to cheese mixture and stir to combine.

Cover mixture and chill until ready to use.

Fill a bowl large enough to hold three pears with ice water and add 1 Tbsp lemon juice. Peel the pears, then cut in half lengthwise and scoop out the core. Place cut and peeled pear halves into the ice water to keep them from turning brown.

Whisk dressing ingredients together in a separate bowl.

Place salad leaves on plate. Drain pears from ice water and pat dry using a kitchen towel. Scoop cheese mixture into balls to fill the hollowed out cores. Spoon dressing over pears and serve.