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Built on the classic combination of fruit, cheese and nuts, this Pear and Brie Crostini is a delicious, elegant and simple to make appetizer.
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Have you ever been to a dinner party where all they served were appetizers? Well I love such parties. I think it’s so much fun to be able to sample so many different nibbles and experience all the various flavours and textures. Some of my favourite appetizers are those that combine both sweet and savoury elements in the same bite. This Pear and Brie Crostini does exactly that.
How to make this Pear and Brie Appetizer
This simple appetizer is built on the classic combination of fruit, cheese and nuts. The brie and pear are layered on top of a crostini (a previously toasted slice of baguette), put under the broiler and then drizzled with a honey and balsamic syrup. To finish this appetizer off, it gets topped with toasted crumbled walnuts, a sprinkle of fresh thyme leaves and a dash of freshly ground pepper. It’s heaven in a bite!
With a season full of special occasions upon us, it’s great to have delicious, elegant and yet simple to make appetizers in our repertoire. Include this Pear and Brie Crostini on your menu next time you entertain and you’ll be sure to impress!
If you make this recipe make sure to take a picture and share it with me on Instagram by tagging #sweetandsavourypursuits, I’d love to see your photos!
Ingredients
- 1 baguette sliced into 1/2 inch rounds
- 2 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
- 6 oz brie rind trimmed
- 1/2 cup toasted* walnuts coarsely chopped
- 1-2 pears halved, cored, and thinly sliced
- 4 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1/8 tsp salt
- a few sprigs of fresh thyme optional
- freshly ground pepper optional
Instructions
- Start by placing a rack 6 inches from the broiler element and heat the broiler on high.
- Set the slices of baguette on a baking sheet. Brush the tops with a little olive oil.
- Place the baking sheet under the broiler and toast the bread until they are crispy and lightly golden on top, about 1 to 2 minutes.
- Meanwhile, combine the honey with balsamic vinegar, add the salt and stir. Set aside.
- Layer the crostini with a slice of cheese topped by a slice of pear.
- Broil until the cheese starts to melt.
- Pull out of the oven and drizzle with the honey and balsamic syrup.
- Add a few pieces of crumbled walnuts, a sprinkling of thyme and a dash of freshly ground pepper.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Did Doughty says
March 1, 2019 at 6:31 PMHow far in advance can you make the bread for bruschetta?
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
March 1, 2019 at 6:41 PMHello, up to 3 days ahead of time. Make sure to let the bread cool completely before storing in an airtight container. Also, if there is a lot of humidity in your home you may need to crisp up the bread a bit before topping. Hope that helps!
Fae's Twist & Tango says
December 21, 2014 at 2:29 PMThese costinis are to die for. I love the combination and the honey-balsamic drips. Yum!
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
December 21, 2014 at 8:52 PMThank you Fae, it really is a delicious combination!
Cindy says
December 10, 2014 at 3:26 PMWhat a great appetizer! Looks so elegant and the taste would be amazing. Brilliant!
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
December 10, 2014 at 4:18 PMThanks so much Cindy!
Mike says
November 27, 2014 at 1:17 PMOMG, this looks absolutely scrumptious! How do you think this would work with blue cheese or gorgonzola and walnuts? I love toasted blue cheese and almonds.
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
November 27, 2014 at 3:28 PMThanks! I think it would be delicious with blue cheese and even more so combined with walnuts 🙂
Nicky Corbishley says
November 14, 2014 at 8:07 AMoh yum! I’ve just found a new addition to my xmas canapes list!
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
November 14, 2014 at 11:24 AMHi Nicky, you’re right they would make a great Christmas or New Year’s canapé :). Thanks!
Good Food Everyday says
November 13, 2014 at 4:35 AMSimone and beautiful, love it
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
November 13, 2014 at 11:15 AMThanks!
K. / Pure & Complex says
October 28, 2014 at 3:59 PMI’ve never been a huge bread eater, but I will change my tune to try this. This looks absolutely amazing. Thanks for sharing this
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
October 30, 2014 at 12:03 PMHi, what’s great about crostini, is that you can slice the bread real thin, this way there is hardly any bread at all and you will mainly taste the toppings. Hope you enjoy it!
thehungrymum says
October 27, 2014 at 3:56 AMWhat perfection on a plate! I heart brie and could inhale a plate of this right now.
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
October 27, 2014 at 10:45 AMThanks! I agree brie is delicious 🙂
Liz says
October 25, 2014 at 9:38 PMI have been dreaming of Brie for sometime and now I come across this lovely recipe You’ve motivated me to make some crostini. Thanks for sharing!
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
October 25, 2014 at 10:17 PMThanks Liz, and it’s my pleasure!
tastasty says
October 21, 2014 at 2:08 PMLove the combination with pear and brie! 🙂
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
October 21, 2014 at 3:03 PMThank you!
Lily says
October 18, 2014 at 4:29 PMI love party foods too, though I think I end up eating more because I just keep munching the whole night, your crostini look amazingly delicious, the pear and brie is one thing, but then to add the honey and balsamic, walnuts and pepper, oh my, I think I’m in heaven:)
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
October 18, 2014 at 7:02 PMThanks Lily. I completely agree that we end up eating more, but it so much more fun to sample a bunch of different appetizers.
Jess @ whatjessicabakednext says
October 15, 2014 at 6:14 PMThis crostini looks absolutely perfect! Love these classic flavours, amazing!
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
October 15, 2014 at 6:43 PMThanks Jessica!
davegon says
October 15, 2014 at 3:40 PMWow. I love the look of these, and I bet they taste even better!
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
October 15, 2014 at 3:43 PMThanks, they were delicious!
nancyc says
October 15, 2014 at 12:24 PMI love this combination of pear and Brie–it sounds wonderful!
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
October 15, 2014 at 6:45 PMThank you Nancy! Fruit and cheese pair so well together.
Serena says
October 15, 2014 at 10:26 AMBeautiful presentation!
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
October 15, 2014 at 10:28 AMThank you so much Serena!
lapetitepaniere says
October 15, 2014 at 1:18 AMVery nice combination 🙂
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
October 15, 2014 at 6:46 PMThanks!
skd says
October 14, 2014 at 3:11 PMI love appetizers too.This one looks delicious.
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
October 14, 2014 at 9:43 PMAppetizers are the best
HostessAtHeart says
October 14, 2014 at 2:51 PMWow I love everything about this! I like grazing get togethers too.
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
October 14, 2014 at 9:47 PMThank you so much for stopping by!