Blue Jay in a Pear Tree
On the First Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: a Blue Jay in a Pear Tree! Start celebrating Christmastime with this festive appetizer featuring The Blue Jay and pears.
makes 6 servings
What You’ll Need:
3 fresh pears, halved and cored
2 tablespoons butter, melted
3 oz The Blue Jay, crumbled
2 tablespoons apricot jam, divided
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
3 tablespoons brandy
1/2 cup heavy cream
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Coat the bottom of your baking dish with the melted butter. Cut the pears in half. Using a melon baller, core the pears. Arrange the pear halves in the baking dish. You may have to trim the back side of the pears a bit so they sit flat in the dish.
In a small mixing bowl combine The Blue Jay and 1 tablespoon of the apricot jam, mixing well. Divide the cheese mixture evenly between the pears, filling the cored center.
Sprinkle the sugar over the filled pears.
Bake the pears for 20 minutes.
Meanwhile in a small pot, gently warm the remaining 1 tablespoon of apricot jam and the brandy over medium-low 6 to 8 minutes to melt the jam and incorporate it into the brandy, whisking frequently. Remove the pan from the heat. Add the cream and stir to mix all of the ingredients together.
Pour the brandy cream mixture over the pears and return the pears to the oven for another 10 minutes.
Serve the pears on individual serving plates, being sure to spoon the decadent pear/cream/brandy goodness from the bottom of the baking dish over the pears. If you like, a small snifter of Hennessy cognac makes a perfect accompaniment.