Chicken Pear Gorgonzola Tarts Food

PEAR GORGONZOLA TART

Steps:

• Bake the pie shell in a square or round tart pan according to package instructions. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.
• Meanwhile, combine the cream cheese, Gorgonzola, thyme, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Using a hand blender, whip the cheeses together.
• In a large, heavy skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the pears and cook until golden on both sides, about 5 minutes.
• When the tart crust has cooled slightly, gently spread the whipped cheese mixture evenly over the bottom of the tart. Place the pear slices in a decorative pattern over the cheese mixture. Sprinkle the thin strips of prosciutto over the pears.
• Cut into squares or wedges and serve.

MARSALA HONEY PEARS WITH GORGONZOLA

Steps:

• While you are cutting the pears, let the oil heat in a large frying pan/skillet.
• Fry the pears for 3 minutes a side, and while they are frying whisk the Marsala and honey together in a cup.
• When the pears have had their time, add the Marsala-honey mixture and let it bubble up around the pears, and then transfer them, all bronzed and syrupy, to a plate.
• Add the walnuts to the dark juices left in the pan and stir-fry them for about a minute until they are themselves darkened in part and sticky all over. Remove them to the plate with the pears and add the Gorgonzola.

GORGONZOLA COCKTAIL TARTS

Steps:

• Bake tarts until golden and puffed. This will be 15-20 minutes typically, but may vary based on oven calibration. Keep a close eye on them so as not to burn them. Remove from pans onto cooling rack after 2-3 minutes of in pan cooling.
• Whisk eggs in a large bowl and then add next 8 ingredients and whisk to blend well. Stir in Gorgonzola cheese.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees (slightly lower if using in convection/bake mode). Spray forty-eight of 1¾" diameter muffin cups (2 pans) with nonstick spray and run a clean finger around each to make sure sides of cups are greased.
• Fill each cup to just below the top (less than a full tablespoon) with batter. Top batter in each cup with pine nuts or walnut halves, if desired.
• Bake tarts until golden and puffed. This will be 15-20 minutes typically, but may vary based on oven calibration. Keep a close eye on them so as not to burn them.
• Remove from pans onto cooling rack after 2-3 minutes of in pan cooling.

CHICKEN PEAR SALAD

Steps:

• Tear or cut up lettuce. Cut apple and pears into bite size chunks. May use just apples or pears if desired. Add crumbled feta cheese and dried cranberries (or craisins). You can toast walnuts or use candied walnuts if you'd like. May substitute pecans or pinenuts. Shred chicken breasts and add to salad. Can also use rotisserie chicken or baked chicken.
• For dressing combine sugar, poppy seeds, raspberry vinegar, mustard, salt, oil & onion in a food processor or blender. Refrigerate. May want to cut dressing ingredients in 1/2 as you will have a lot of dressing. Stays good in fridge for about 4 days.

CHICKEN, GORGONZOLA, & PEAR SALAD

Steps:

• In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper to taste.
• Add chicken, walnuts, and Gorgonzola cheese and toss lightly.
• Place greens on individual salad plates.
• Arrange sliced pears in fan shape along one side on top of greens.
• With slotted spoon, divide the chicken mixture equally among plates.
• Drizzle any dressing remaining in bowl over pears and greens.

CHICKEN, PEAR & GORGONZOLA TARTS

Steps:

• 1. Place bacon in a 15"x10"x1" baking pan; broil 4 inches from the heat for 4 to 6 minutes on each side or until crisp. Combine brown sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over bacon. Broil 1 minute longer or until bacon is glazed and bubbly. Drain on paper towels. Cool slightly and crumble. 2. In a small skillet, combine chicken, pear nectar, pears, preserves, butter, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil; cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 to 4 minutes or until thickened. Spoon about 1 tablespoonful of filling into each tart shell; place tarts on baking sheet. Sprinkle with bacon and cheese. 3. Bake at 350 degrees F for 5-7 minutes or until heated through. Serve warm.