Roasted Pear Potato And Watercress Puree With Toasted Walnuts Recipes

ROASTED PEARS WITH BLUE CHEESE AND WALNUTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Arrange the pears, cut side up, on a baking sheet.
• Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Strip the leaves from the thyme branches and sprinkle over the pears.
• Bake 20 minutes, then remove from oven and spoon a generous teaspoon of crumbled cheese in the center of each pear half.
• Return to oven and roast until they are tender and cheese is soft, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, put the walnuts on another baking sheet and toast in the oven until golden brown and fragrant, about 5 minutes; chop.
• When the pears are cooked, transfer them to a serving plate and sprinkle with toasted walnuts.
• Serve hot.

ROASTED-PEAR-POTATO-AND-WATERCRESS PUREE WITH TOASTED WALNUTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place the potatoes on a baking sheet and roast for 20 minutes. Peel, halve and core the pears. Place the pears on the baking sheet with the potatoes and roast until the potatoes and pears are soft, about 40 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the watercress and blanch for 1 minute. Drain well. Place the watercress and the pears in a food processor and process until smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl.
• Cut the potatoes in half lengthwise and scoop out the flesh. Pass the potato through a ricer into a medium-size bowl. Stir the pear mixture into the potato until smooth. Season with the salt and pepper to taste. Divide among 4 plates and sprinkle with the toasted walnuts. Serve immediately.

PEAR & STILTON SALAD WITH PORT DRESSING & TOASTED WALNUTS

Steps:

• Toast walnuts in heavy saucepan on med heat.
• Set aside.
• Pour port into same pan nuts were toasted in.
• Boil on med high; simmer to reduce by half its volume.
• Remove from heat& allow to cool.
• Distribute 1 1/2 C greens on each of 4 plates.
• Arrange pear slices over.
• Sprinkle 1 1/2 T cheese on each.
• For dressing: Puree reduced port, shallots, garlic, mustard, vinegar to smooth in blender.
• Pour over salads.
• Top with nuts.

WATERCRESS, PEAR, BLUE CHEESE AND WALNUT SALAD

Steps:

• Make the dressing by mixing everything together, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
• Mix the watercress and pear slices together and dress with the dressing.
• Arrange on 2 plates, distributing the pear evenly, embed the walnuts and crumble over the blue cheese.
• Relax.

MASHED POTATOES AND TURNIPS WITH ROASTED PEAR PURéE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Combine honey, lemon juice, and melted butter in large bowl. Add pears; toss to coat. Arrange pears in single layer on large rimmed baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast pears 30 minutes. Turn pears to coat with juices and roast until very tender, about 35 minutes longer. Transfer pears and caramelized liquids to food processor; blend until smooth. (Pear puree can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Cook potatoes and turnips in separate large pots of generously salted water until tender, about 25 minutes. Drain well. Transfer turnips to processor; puree until smooth. Mash potatoes with room-temperature butter in large bowl until smooth. Stir in pureed turnips. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared 6 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Rewarm in microwave before continuing.)
• Rewarm pear puree. Place potato-turnip mixture in large serving bowl. Swirl in pear puree and serve.