Stilton Tart with Blueberry Sage Compote

This Stilton Tart with Blueberry Sage Compote is a lovely thing to make for a New Year’s Eve cocktail party. One of the best parts about it is that since it’s made with a special stilton, it’s perfect as an hors d’oeuvres or as a savory dessert. It’s amazing with a special port or glass of champagne or wine. I’ve based my Stilton Tart with Blueberry Sage Compote on a Gourmet recipe, but it has a lot of updates. I have a 12-inch round fluted tart pan with a removable bottom, so I have it calibrated for that size. I add walnuts to the crust, and I serve it with a blueberry sage compote and my refrigerator jam. Cranberry chutney is also, lovely at Christmas, and I’ve also served it with leftover Thanksgiving cranberry relish. But there’s something about the blueberries with this Stilton Tart with Blueberry Sage Compote. Crust: ¾ cups all-purpose flour 1 cup walnuts 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter; diced ¼ teaspoon salt 1-2 tablespoons ice water In a food processor, pulse the nuts into a flour-like texture. Add the flour and salt. Add in the butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse meal with pea-size clumps. Drizzle … Continue reading

Pickled Pear Bruschetta

The hearty cracker as the base makes for a beautiful and rustic dish with my Pickled Pear Bruschetta. The rich mascarpone shallot spread is both delicate enough in flavor to showcase the pear and creamy enough to make this nibble feel substantial. Pickled Pear Bruschetta sets a perfect winter tone and the lush gold color of the pear adds to the golden hue of the menu. Wasa Crackers (I like the thick multi-grain) Filling: 1 cup shallots 2 tablespoons butter ¼ cup white wine ¼ teaspoon five spice powder ¼ or less freshly grated nutmeg ½ teaspoon salt dash cayenne 8 ounces mascarpone Pickled Pears: 1 bosc pear (firm is important, but really any variety will do) 1 cup white vinegar 2 tablespoons salt ¼ cup sugar Mince the shallots. Sauté the shallots in butter on medium low until very soft (20-30 minutes). Add the white wine and continue to cook until the liquid has evaporated. Add the five spice, nutmeg, salt and cayenne, stir well and then cook an additional 1-2 minutes. Remove to a bowl. Stir in the mascarpone until well-distributed. Slice the pears very thin (a mandoline works best) from the bottom. The round slices will curl into … Continue reading