Tag Archives: cheese

Pear Pasta Salad

Andrea Slonecker By on
pear pasta salad

Potlucks and picnics are upon us! This portable pear recipe adds a sweet twist to the perennial favorite: pasta salad. With a flavor-packed combination of just-ripe USA Pears complemented by salty salami, tart pickled peppers, fresh mozzarella, and crunchy cucumbers, it’s sure to surpass any pre-made offering you’d find at the deli counter. Plus, a lightened-up version of the classic creamy dressing, substituting Greek yogurt for mayonnaise, makes for a healthier summer feast. Serves 8 to 10 Ingredients: Dressing 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar 2 cloves garlic, minced 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano or 1 teaspoon dried oregano Salad 1 pound dried short pasta, such as fusilli, rotini, or farfalle 2 firm but ripe red USA pears, cut into bite Continue reading →

Pear and Gouda Cheese Ball with Cranberries and Pecans

Andrea Slonecker By on

The all-American cheese ball is a throwback worth revisiting. Popular at holiday parties of yesteryear, today we take a fresh, lightened-up approach with the addition of pears. Swap the classic orange cheddar or crumbly blue for a nutty aged Gouda. The nuttiness plays well with both the sweet pears folded into the cheese mixture and the crunchy pecans that are sprinkled on the outside, while parsley and scallions add a savory bite. Perfect for an office gathering or a family affair, this pear-flecked cheese spread presents well in the shape of everyone’s favorite holiday fruit. And it’s deceptively easy to pull off, too. Serves 8 to 10 Ingredients: 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, at room temperature 2 cups finely shredded aged Gouda cheese (about 6 ounces), at room temperature 1 ripe USA Anjou pear, peeled, cored (reserving the stem), and Continue reading →

Grilled Pear and Lamb Flatbreads

Andrea Slonecker By on
pear and ground lamb flatbread with fresh mint

Pears and meat are a winning combination. We often think of pork and chicken with fruit, but let’s not overlook lamb. That robust flavor is deliciously complemented by sweet, aromatic charred pears hot off the grill, and both partner perfectly with Middle Eastern flavors. Here we have a complete meal cooked almost entirely on the grill. A very simple dough is rolled out to make homemade flatbreads that get cooked right on the grill, and then topped with sliced grilled pears and red onions, spiced ground lamb, charred halloumi cheese, and an addictive yogurt-tahini sauce. Think of these flatbreads as a pizza of sorts, perfect for a patio party, and they’re as delicious hot as they are at room temperature. Serves 6 Dough 1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting 1 cup whole-wheat flour 2 teaspoons salt 1/2 Continue reading →

Pear “Toasts”

Andrea Slonecker By on
Pears sliced lengthwise topped with delicious toppings

You’ve probably noticed how trendy the idea of toast has become, with food magazines, cooking shows, and restaurant chefs across the country coming up with enticing toppings for a humble slice of bread. There are even entire cafes dedicated to the concept. But what happens when you have the wacky idea to exchange a slice of pear for the bread? Magic! Here are four delicious ideas for topping pear “toasts” at home. Consider this a jumping off point for coming up with your own creative combinations, using whatever variety of pear you have ripening on the counter, and any tasty toppings sitting in your fridge or pantry. The options are practically endless, since pears taste amazing with both sweet and savory flavors. These quick creations are a yummy snack for kids and adults alike, whether the craving strikes after school or Continue reading →

Pickled Pear and Irish Cheddar Toasties in a Bread Basket

Andrea Slonecker By on
Little grilled cheese and pickled pear snadwiches stuffed inside a hollowed out bread loaf on a green plate

Little toastie sandwiches, filled with melting Irish Cheddar and piquant pickled pears, are (adorably) presented right in their own hollowed out bread loaf. This recipe makes 2 pints of sweet and tangy pickled pears perfumed with caraway and bay. You won’t need that much for the toasties, so you’ll have pickled pears in your fridge for a month, if they last that long! Enjoy them with cheeses and charcuterie, in salads and sandwiches, or as a tasty snack. Makes 8 toasties; serves 4 (because everyone will want 2!) Caraway Pickled Pears 2 medium ripe or slightly underripe Bosc pears 1¼ cups apple cider vinegar 1 cup water 6 tablespoons honey 2 teaspoons kosher salt 2 teaspoons caraway seeds 2 bay leaves For the Toasties 1 unsliced loaf of hearty whole-grain sandwich bread (AKA a “Pullman” loaf) 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, Continue reading →

The Time is Ripe for Pears: Chicago

Brittany By on

From Philadelphia, we headed west to the chilly city of Chicago on our sixth stop in The Time is Ripe for Pears Tour. The city’s trademark wind was in full force, but so was the enthusiasm of local pear fans! On our first night in Chicago, I was treated to a delicious local delicacy: a pizza pot pie. Yep, that’s right; it’s all the tasty toppings of a pizza—plum tomatoes, peppers, garlic, whole mushrooms, sausage—wrapped up inside a doughy bundle and set inside a dish to bake. When it’s finished, they bring it to your table inside the dish and gently coax it out onto your plate. It’s so good! If you’re ever in the Windy City, check it out: Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Co. And order the Mediterranean Bread! On Thursday, we enjoyed a wonderful lunch at the Continue reading →

Pasta con Peras y Queso

Lynsey By on

Stumped about what to have for dinner tonight?  Try this quick and easy recipe – just pick up some fresh, new season USA Pears at the store – the yellow of a ripe Bartlett and bright red Starkrimson add beautiful color to this dish from Mexico! Pasta con Peras y Queso (Pasta with Pears and Cheese) Ingredients 2 USA Bartlett pears, ripe & chopped 2 USA Starkrimson pears, ripe & chopped 6 ounces penne pasta 2 tablespoons butter ½ cup grated parmesan cheese ¼ cup crumbled gorgonzola cheese ½ cup cream ½ cup milk 1 tablespoon chicken bouillon granules Salt, chopped onion, garlic, and olive oil as desired to season pasta while cooking Directions Boil the pasta in water with some salt, onion, garlic, and a little olive oil.  When the pasta is al dente, drain the water and set pasta Continue reading →

Pears and Cheese

Brittany By on

March seems to be the unofficial month of cheese. And as you know, pears and cheese happen to go together like peanut butter and jelly, like milk and Oreos, like…well, you get the picture. We’ve been at three events in the month of March alone, sampling fresh pears along with a variety of Oregon cheeses. The Portland Boys and Girls Club held their annual Showcase of Wine and Cheese early this month, where we sliced succulent Taylor’s Gold pears, crisp Bosc pears, and juicy Anjous. Mid-month, we traveled down to Willamette Valley Vineyards to slice up pears at their Wine, Pear & Cheese Jubilee, and last weekend, we went way down south to the famed Rogue Creamery for the Oregon Cheese Festival. People had a great time sampling pears (the state fruit!) along with a variety of crumbly, creamy, rich Continue reading →

Go Packers!

Brittany By on

It’s almost game time, and Pear Bureau Northwest is rooting for the Green Bay Packers. Lucky for us (or should I say them?) their colors just so happen to match the bright hues of USA Pears – particularly the Green Anjou and the (ripe) Bartlett. If you’re hosting a Super Bowl party on Sunday, we’ll make it easy to score big with your guests. Here’s how you can pump up the excitement with pears: • Fill baskets, trays, or a large glass vase with green and yellow USA Pears—the colorful centerpiece can double as a healthy snack! • Place USA Pears in quesadillas—it’s the perfect Cheesehead tribute! • Serve this Pear Mango Salsa along with your chips and dips. The fruity mixture is festive and delicious! Visit our website for our complete green and yellow game day menu. Go Pack! Continue reading →

This Weekend: Wine, Cheese & Pear Jubilee!

Jenny By on

If you’re going to be in the Willamette Valley this weekend, don’t miss the 7th Annual “Wine, Cheese & Pear Jubilee” at Willamette Valley Vineyards. You’ll have the chance to sample award-winning wines paired with local artisan cheeses and of course, Oregon grown pears! We’ll be there sampling ripe pears, so come on by and see us! P.S. The $5 admission includes a free Riedel wine glass! Facebook Twitter Google+ Pinterest LinkedIn