Christmas Goodies – Pear, Goat’s Cheese & Pecan Toasties
As soon as you finish that last bite of Thanksgiving Pecan Pie, you know the holiday season has officially begun. Christmas is a nostalgic time of year when the smell of Christmas cake takes over the house, the twinkling of Christmas lights, and the good cheer and warmth of spirit in the atmosphere help us to rekindle our own Christmas past.
My memories:
With “Silver Bells,” “White Christmas,” and “Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer” playing on the radio in the kitchen, my mother would have us kids make sweet mince pies. After they had baked and cooled down, my mam would give us each a small piping bag filled with either red, yellow, white or green frosting. My brother Michael, sister Julie and I would then pipe our own Christmas design on our own mince pie for Santa Claus and Rudolph. When I close my eyes, I can still see the different colors of frosting around our mouths, nose and cheeks as we used to eat more of the frosting than actually ended up on the mice pies.
Best Christmas ever was when my father returned home from working in Germany, it was wonderful seeing him and my mam together after he had been away for so many months. Presents that year were amazing, Michael got a huge model yacht to sail on the pond at Saltwell Park. Julie a beautiful dolls house and me, well I got an amazing go-kart to ride around the neighborhood.
I just love this time of year, which brings family and friends together, here is a simple appetizer or festive treat for your family and friends. Give it a try, be happy, be safe and enjoy the festive season.
Christmas Goodies – Pear, Goat’s Cheese & Pecan Toasties
Serves 4
Ingredients:
4 thick slices Sourdough bread
Olive oil
4oz goat’s cheese, sliced in eight even sizes pieces (I’ve used blueberry goat’s cheese in this recipe)
1 pear, cored and sliced
¼ cup pecans, chopped
2 sprigs of fresh thyme, remove leaves and discord stalks
1 tablespoon local honey
How to make:
Turn on grill, brush the bread on both sides with a light coating of olive oil, then toast the bread on both sides until golden brown.
Place the toasted bread on a baking sheet and top with the goat’s cheese and the sliced pears, season and drizzle with a little oil, then grill for 3 to 4 minutes or until the goat’s cheese has melted.
Remove the tray from the heat and scatter with pecans, thyme leaves and drizzle with a little honey and serve immediately.