Get your blog post heerre!
I recently took a (too) short vacay to Boston to meet up with my bestest buddy, Ryan P, where we ate, drank, and saw ALL the things! You'll be hearing more and more about her in blogs to come, as she has decided to grace me with multiple post ideas. If you know P, you're probably thinking, "Ohhh geez, a blog about blue things, rolling of the hips, and Mountain Dew" But if you know us as "The Ryans," then you know that I'm quick to veto most of her impulsive (hair-brained) ideas. *Note: This isn't mean, it's extremely necessary. (I can picture her giggling with tears of giddiness streaming down her face right about... now - all because I mentioned three of her favorite things in one sentence).*
Let's just say she gets easily carried away (crazy-eyed-anxiety-attack style) over Cool Ranch Doritos, 10-year-old mix CDs, salted caramel cupcakes, and (did I mention?) any and all things blue? The best part (while it's all entertaining) is that she doesn't hide her obsession with these things - she revels in it! That's just part of why I love her! So here's to you, P! I dedicate this meal to you, long distance style.
P recently peeped this (Everyday Everything approved blog idea) on a menu somewhere in Boston and asked that I recreate a version covered in awesome sauce. So I did and it was deeeeeelicious! Tally: One for P Funk. This is a tutorial recipe for Honey Poached Prosciutto-Wrapped Grilled Pears Stuffed with Blue Cheese... Now say it three times fast. Here we go:
Your ingredient roll:
- 2 Firm but ripe pears
- 6 cups water
- 1 tbs. ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup honey, divided into two equal parts (1/4 cup each)
- Peel from one lemon wedge
- 1 package Prosciutto
- 1 pack crumbled Blue cheese
- 1 tbs. minced Candied ginger (optional)
Peel the pears and cut each in half.
Cut out the core. I inserted a sturdy measuring spoon and rotated it until the seedy filling fell out. Then, using a knife, I cut lengthwise at an angle to remove the stem. (see below for a better visual)
In a small pot, bring the water to a boil. Add the pears, 1/4 cup honey, ground cinnamon, and the lemon peel. Reduce heat to low and simmer, lightly poaching the pears for at least ten minutes, making them just soft to the touch.
Remove your pears from the poaching broth and let them drain for a minute.
Lay a thin peeled layer of prosciutto down on a clean work surface. Place your pear half where you can easily wrap the whole thing tightly. Fill the concavities in the pear with crumbled blue cheese don't skimp on the yummy!
Wrap the prosciutto tightly around your pear. Take care not to manhandle and completely shred the salty goodness (prosciutto) containing the other salty goodness (blue cheese).
Wrap 'em up and pack 'em down nice and tighty. If you opt to add the candied ginger, mix it with 1/4 cup of honey and set aside.
Heat your oiled grill or grill pan to freakin' hot (that means high heat). Grill up the pears, making sure to get a nice crisp on all sides. You may need to move and rotate them around to get a nice crispy coating. Remove them from the heat. Microwave your honey or honey and ginger mixture for a few seconds to make it pliable enough for drizzling. Cut each prosciutto-wrapped pear in half and drizzle with your honey awesome sauce. Don't be shy - the saltiness of this dish needs the sweetness of the sauce.
Serve hot so the cheese is all nice and ooey gooey. The prosciutto is super crisp on the outside while the pear is fragrant and perfectly al dente inside...
the blue cheese is creamy and oh so salty...
the drizzle is over the top "OMG"! Sweeeet with a sassy bite of spice from the ginger...... holy crap. I mean, yeah, its delicious - but did I just say sassy?
I served these as an appetizer with dinner last night.....then we ate more for dessert. Today I had two halves left so I made a salad. Yay, food porn! Check it out:
Mix up a dressing of your choice or use whatever's in the fridge. I'm making MORE blue cheese! (Just because I have a thing for the salty fattiness of it all.) I don't do exact measurements for my "in the heat of the moment" dressings so bear with me. In a bowl, plop together: one heaping spoonful of mayo, one of sour cream and one of blue cheese. Hit it with a splash of milk and a splash of apple cider vinegar. Season with a dash of hot sauce, a sprinkle of oregano, a few grinds of black pepper and a pinch of salt. Mix, mix, mix...
Mmmm... Creamy deliciousness ready for the eatin'! In a bowl, mix lettuce, chopped walnuts, a couple teaspoons of dressing and one chopped half of one of P-funks Pears. Toss, toss, toss...
YUMiness! Top it off with the other leftover pear half. Take some pictures for bragging rights and dig in!
Dddddang that was tasty!If you're throwing a partaaaay I suggest cutting the pears into wedges before wrapping them. Just be sure not to let all of your blue cheesiness leak out! I'll be so mad at you.
