Fry

Fried Sage Leaves and Pear Chips in a Gorgonzola Yogurt Dip

by:
September 15, 2011
4.5
2 Ratings
  • Serves 4
Author Notes

A pear chip appetizer or hors d'oeuvre seemed like a logical extension into my forays with frying pears. After trying all different blades and settings on the mandolin, my best recommendation is to use the smooth blade on the thinnest setting. Increase amounts of all ingredients to serve a crowd. —Bevi

Test Kitchen Notes

Bevi has taken some of our favorite flavors and combined them to make an utterly irresistible dish. Sage leaves and pear slices are gently fried until crisp and then served with a creamy gorgonzola dip that's enhanced by a poached pear syrup. We mashed the poached pear from the syrup into the dip to boost the pear flavor a bit, and because we had some on hand, used pear vodka instead of pear brandy in the poaching liquid. The sage leaves and wafer thin pear chips tend to be a bit fragile, so don't treat them like corn chips! All in all, perfect with a glass (or two) of Champagne!
wssmom

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • For the Fried Pears and Sage
  • 4 pears, under ripe, sliced thinly using a mandolin if possible
  • 24 beautiful and large sage leaves
  • Your choice oil for frying - I used canola, but don't recommend olive oil
  • Sea salt to taste
  • For the Dip
  • 7 ounces Greek Yogurt, whole or 2%
  • 4 ounces creamed gorgonzola cheese - mush it with the back of a spoon
  • 1 tablespoon poached pear syrup - see NB below
Directions
  1. Make the dip. Combine the creamed gorgonzola, the yogurt, and the pear syrup. Place a dollop in 4 individual ramekins or small dishes, or center all the dip in a decorative, larger bowl.
  2. Place enough oil in a large frying pan to cover the sage and pear slices. Heat until the oil is sizzling, and regulate the heat on medium. Meanwhile, pat dry the pear slices.
  3. Place the sage leaves, in batches so they are not crowded, into the hot oil. Fry for about a minute. Place the fried sage leaves on a sheet tray covered with paper towels. Salt lightly.
  4. Now fry the pear slices, taking care to regulate the heat so the edges of the slices do not cook faster. Keep turning the chips until they are a golden brown. Remove from oil, and place on paper towels. Salt very lightly.
  5. Let the sage and chips dry a little, and then stick them into the dip.
  6. NB - For the Pear Poaching Liquid, Add 1 cup sugar to 1 cup water in a one quart saucepan. Stir until the sugar is dissolved, and bring to a light boil. Reduce the heat, and add 1 tablespoon of pear brandy to the poaching liquid, if you have some. Let simmer for about 10 minutes. Peel a pear, halve it lengthwise, and add it to the poaching liquid. Cook for about 5 minutes, and you can use the pear with another recipe, or mash the pear into the dip. Cook down the poaching liquid further until it is a syrupy consistency. Let cool before use.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • JanetFL
    JanetFL
  • boulangere
    boulangere
  • fiveandspice
    fiveandspice
  • calendargirl
    calendargirl
  • Panfusine
    Panfusine
Bevi

Recipe by: Bevi

Cooking is an important part of my past. I grew up and worked on our family resort. These days, I cook good food to please my friends and family.

13 Reviews

JanetFL July 3, 2013
This is something that I would enjoy as a dessert. Can't wait to give it a try!
 
boulangere June 30, 2013
I remember this glorious dish, especially that dip. I love the direction to "mush" the gorgonzola with the back of a spoon. That's an instruction I can follow.
 
Bevi June 30, 2013
Graphic if nothing else!
 
fiveandspice December 6, 2011
Yum! I love the idea of pear chips and dip. And what a funky presentation!
 
Bevi December 6, 2011
Haha! The pears and sage leaves looked kind of boring spread on the sides of the platter around the dip - so I went for the UFO look!
 
calendargirl December 5, 2011
Wow.... glorious combination!
 
Bevi December 6, 2011
Why thank you!
 
boulangere December 1, 2011
Wow, beautiful. I love fried sage leaves.
 
Bevi December 1, 2011
Thanks b. I am bringing this to a party with roasted cherry tomatoes that I froze to surround the platter.
 
Panfusine November 30, 2011
this looks & sounds soo good!!
 
Bevi December 1, 2011
Thanks Panfusine!
 
SKK September 17, 2011
Wow - this looks amazing! Thank you for sharing it.
 
Bevi September 17, 2011
You are welcome!