Gruyere and Pear with Walnut Sage Pesto

By nannydeb • January 2, 2012 • 5 Comments

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Gruyere and Pear with Walnut Sage Pesto — 1 of 2 Photo by nannydeb

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Author Notes: This came to me in a dream the other night so I had to make it. Though I used Gruyere cheese, we ate it like a raclette, all melty and gooey on toasted bread as an appetizer for New Year's Eve. - nannydeb

Serves 6 as an appetizer

3 ounces walnuts
2 tablespoons fresh sage, minced (or more or less to your taste)
1 garlic clove
3 tablespoons olive oil
salt & black pepper to taste
1 pound Gruyere cheese, 1 inch cubes
1 Barlett pear (or pear of your choice), cored, peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spread the walnuts onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Toast until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.
In a food processor, combine the toasted walnuts, sage, garlic and olive oil. Blend until smooth adding more olive oil if needed. Add salt & pepper to taste.
Butter a baking dish and add the cheese cubes and pear cubes. Swirl the walnut sage pesto around the cubes.
Bake for 10 - 15 minutes or until melted.
Serve with some good crusty bread and wine.