Goat Cheese, Blackberry and Pear Bites
April 8, 2009 by Culinary Cory
Filed under Appetizers, Entertaining
When someone offers me a sample of cheese, I perk up and take notice. So when the folks at Ile De France Cheese asked me if I was interested in trying a sample of their delicious goat cheese, I couldn’t resist the offer.
This was the perfect opportunity to feature one of my most favorite creations. The inspiration for this recipe was from my friend Jimmy. One evening, he challenged me to create something that included two of his favorite ingredients. They were goat cheese and blackberries. He secretly wanted a blackberry pie, but I wasn’t in the mood to make one at the time. (Note: Jimmy got his blackberry pie wish granted a few weeks ago. He ate half of the pie in one sitting.)
I digress. My original recipe actually used flat sheets of Phyllo to make mini turnovers. I’ve also made them using puff pastry. I found the prebaked Phyllo cups are the best. Each filled cup is a perfect two bite appetizer that looks as good as it tastes.
Goat Cheese, Blackberry and Pear Bites
4 oz. plain goat cheese, room temperature
2 Tbl. honey
¼ tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. lemon zest
2 Tbl. lemon juice
1 pear, peeled and chopped to size of peas
6 oz blackberries, fresh
2 packages of Phyllo dough cups, about 30Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Cream the goat cheese, honey, nutmeg, zest, juice, and pear in a small mixing bowl until well combined. Spoon a single tablespoon sized amount of the mixture into each Phyllo cup. Place one blackberry in the center of each filled cup. Place the filled cups on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 – 10 minutes, or until the mixture is slightly bubbly and the berries are just about to burst. The pears will still be slightly crunchy for texture.
Authors Note: The Phyllo dough cups are wrapped in a plastic tray. I found it easier to fill the cups while they are still in the tray. Then transfer them to the baking sheet. Also, the Phyllo dough cups can be found in the freezer section near the puff pastry.
Contest Announcement: Ile De France Cheese is doing a recipe contest that’s themed around cheese and spring flavors. I’ll be entering this recipe into that contest. I hope it wins. HINT…HINT
Print This Recipe
Subscribe to Culinary Cory
Great recipe, Im posting them today on my blog. Thanks for sharing!
SI: Glad to hear you liked my recipe.
i make something very similar with strawberries and have never seen these cups at my store … i’m going to look a little harder, so cute!
I’ve never thought to use goat cheese in a dessert…these little beauties look amazing!
Hey Pam. It makes a great dessert and/or appetizer. I’ve made them for both and they were a huge hit.
Yeah these have to be delicious! The sweet mixed with savory is delicious. Goat cheese does well with fruits.
Delicious!!
I think you should start a restaurant! These look so good! Great combination of flavors and terrific photo!
It looks elegant. I love the combination of flavors… very creative!
Oh Cory, this Blackberry and Pear bite with
goat cheese looks totally amazing…very haute cuisine…!
I looks like something that I would be offered a a five-star resto
of a star-chef….
When are you opening your resto?
I wll try this simply stunning recipe as soon as I can perfect the gluten-free phyllo
dough recipe that I just found or get a hold of some gluten-free puff pastry.
Let me know where to vote for your entry in the recipe contast…
good luck, dear friend…!
PS…I will be writing you per email re:pink/wooden cutting board……WOW…! ! !
Meri, merci, merci….
LOL! I’ve thought about starting a restaurant. My dream job would actually be to write about my cooking and adventures in magazines, newspapers, and online sites. Someday that dream will come true.
WONDERFUL AND DELICATE!!