Pears with Gorgonzola

Autumn fruits are everywhere and pears are definitely in season. I'm certain you're going to love this recipe if you're a Gorgonzola fan. Pears with Gorgonzola, it's such a perfect paring! (no pun intended). Ripe juicy pears, cooked in Marsala wine that reduces down and becomes infused in a wonderful glaze. Each pear is then topped with a combination of Gorgonzola, mascarpone and toasted chopped walnuts.

I love the deep rich salty flavor of Gorgonzola and the "bite" it gives you from it's blue vein. Combine that with the sweetness of the pear and Marsala. Perfection!

This recipe comes from an old issue of Tastes of Italia magazine, the recipe is for 4 servings but you can alter it for 2.

4 Pears cut in half lengthwise, remove cores.

2 Cups Marsala Wine

2T Lemon Juice

1/4 Cup Sugar

2t. lemon Zest

4oz Gorgonzola

3 T Mascarpone

2T Toasted Chopped Walnuts

In medium pan combine wine, sugar, zest. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce and simmer for 10 minutes. Add pears and cook 10-15 minutes until fork tender. Remove pears, place on serving dish. Bring wine mixture to a boil, cook for 6 minutes until liquid thickens. Remove, let it cool and drizzle around pears. In a small bowl add mascarpone, Gorgonzola, and chopped walnuts, mix well then fill pears.

Here's another way of getting that same flavor combination of pears and Gorgonzola, something that you could put together fast for either a quick appetizer or an ending to a meal. Peel your pears and cut them into 1 inch chunks, cook them in warm honey until tender, then skewer a piece of Gorgonzola between 2 pieces of pear, finish with an extra drizzle of honey. Enjoy!

Buon Appetito!

Adoring Dolcetti!

There's still an abundance of peaches out there and this is a great way to use them up. In fact a whole platter of these is a great thing to bring to a party, trust me I've done it! You can grill them ahead of time either outdoors, or like I did here right here, on my indoor grill.

Cut them in half, scoop out the pit, grill face down, just till you get some grill marks on.

Put a dollop of mascarpone, chopped pistachio's, and a good drizzle of honey!

Do you have any banana's that are starting to look sad? No problem! Wrap them in some tin foil and throw them on the grill, either inside or out.
Let them cook till the skin gets brown and soft in the center, about 20 min's.
In a small sauce pan melt some butter, about 2 Tbl. Now add 1/2 cup of toasted and chopped hazelnuts, a squeeze of lemon juice, and a few Tbl. of light corn syrup.
Pour the warm sauce over your warm banana's with a scoop of vanilla ice cream sprinkled with cinnamon!

Both of these desserts are very quick and so, so, easy to make!! They taste very decadent! and your family and friends will adore you for serving these!

Have a nice weekend, and Buon Appetito!