appssert

i've always been interested in doing a "dinner" party that actually wasn't dinner, but more of an appetizer and dessert. so, since we had a really large, moderately unhealthy lunch, i decided i'd try a menu idea i've had for such an event...

it's a cauliflower steak with a carmel sauce pear dessert. the cauliflower steak is pretty simple, just cut out your steak from the head of cauliflower, then braise and puree what's leftover. i added some pearl onions to the puree to give it just enough contrast from the cauliflower steak. i rubbed the steaks with some olive oil and then sauteed them for a couple minutes on each side before putting them in the oven for ten minutes to finish. spoon a hearty portion of the puree onto a plate and then top with a steak.

as for the dessert, everything i tried seemed to work out well except that i used some leftover gorgonzola cheese and i shouldn't have. it was good, but it was too strong for this recipe. start by cutting some pears in half and scooping out the seeds. then heat a generous portion of butter in a frying pan to which you'll add the pears, cut side down. add about a tablespoon and a half of honey to the pears and then cover the pan and let cook until tender. remove the pears and add a teaspoon of cheese to the hole leftover from the seeds. let them sit and add some pine nuts to the honey/butter (caramel) mixture. sprinkle some salt and cook for about 2 minutes. drizzle this sauce over the pears and serve! you really can use any pear and any cheese, but like i said, the gorgonzola was a little too strong in my opinion. also, i think seckel pears are great to use for this because they're so small. any pear will do though.