Baked plums with blue cheese is a delicious and savory-sweet dish that combines the natural sweetness of plums with the rich, tangy flavor of blue cheese. It’s a simple yet impressive appetizer or dessert that you can prepare for a special occasion or as a unique addition to your menu.
Ingredients for Baked plums with blue cheese
Here is the description of each ingredient used in the recipe for baked plums with blue cheese and walnuts:
- Fresh Plums: Plums are stone fruits known for their sweet and juicy flesh. They come in various varieties, and for this recipe, you’ll want to use fresh plums that are ripe but not overly soft. Plums add natural sweetness and a pleasing texture to the dish.
- Blue Cheese: Blue cheese is a category of cheese that is characterized by its distinctive blue or green veins, which are created by the introduction of specific mold cultures during the cheese-making process. Some popular types of blue cheese include Roquefort, Gorgonzola, and Stilton. Blue cheese has a strong, tangy, and salty flavor with a creamy texture. It adds a rich and savory element to the dish.
- Walnuts: Walnuts are edible tree nuts that are known for their mild, nutty flavor and satisfying crunch. They are a good source of healthy fats, protein, and antioxidants. In this recipe, walnuts are typically chopped or halved and added to provide a contrasting texture and a nutty, earthy flavor that complements the sweet and savory components of the dish.
- Honey: Honey is a natural sweetener produced by bees from flower nectar. It adds a delightful sweetness and a touch of floral complexity to the baked plums with blue cheese and walnuts. Honey also helps balance the savory flavors of the cheese.
- Fresh or Dried Thyme (Optional): Thyme is an aromatic herb with small leaves and a fragrant, slightly earthy flavor. It is often used as a garnish in this dish to enhance the overall aroma and taste. The addition of thyme provides a fresh and herbaceous element to the final presentation.
How to make Baked plums with blue cheese?
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Afterward, thoroughly wash and dry the plums, and then carefully halve them, removing the pits. Arrange the plum halves, cut side up, either on a baking sheet or inside a baking dish.
Next, take the blue cheese and either crumble it into small pieces or slice it, then use this to generously fill the cavities of each plum half. Top the cheese with a sprinkling of chopped or halved walnuts, and finish by drizzling a touch of honey over each stuffed plum half. If you desire an extra layer of flavor and fragrance, consider adding fresh thyme leaves.
Place the baking sheet or dish into the preheated oven and allow the plums to bake for approximately 15-20 minutes. Keep a watchful eye to ensure they become tender and the cheese melts and takes on a slight caramelized appearance, taking care not to overcook them.
Once they’re done, carefully remove the baked plums from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving. This delightful dish of baked plums with blue cheese, walnuts, and honey can be presented as an appetizer or dessert, and it pairs splendidly with a glass of wine or as part of a cheese board.
What to serve with Baked plums with blue cheese?
Baked plums with blue cheese make for a flavorful and unique appetizer or dessert, and there are several accompaniments you can serve alongside to enhance the overall dining experience. Here are some options:
- Baguette or Crusty Bread: Sliced baguette or other crusty bread is an excellent choice. It allows your guests to spread the warm, creamy blue cheese from the baked plums onto the bread, creating a delicious contrast of textures.
- Crackers: An assortment of crackers, such as water crackers, whole-grain crackers, or artisanal varieties, can be a great choice. They provide a crunchy base for the plums and cheese and are easy to handle.
- Mixed Nuts: A bowl of mixed nuts, like almonds, cashews, or pecans, complements the dish’s nutty flavors and adds extra crunch and variety to the spread.
- Fresh Fruit: Consider serving some fresh fruit slices or wedges, such as apple or pear, to provide a refreshing contrast to the richness of the baked plums and blue cheese.
- Greens: A simple green salad with arugula or mixed greens dressed with a light vinaigrette can be a lovely addition. The greens provide a fresh and slightly bitter note that balances the sweetness of the plums.
- Red or White Wine: Pairing the dish with a suitable wine can elevate the experience. For baked plums with blue cheese, you might consider a sweet white wine like a Riesling, a dessert wine, or even a red wine with mild tannins like a Pinot Noir.
- Additional Cheese: If you’re serving this dish as part of a cheese and charcuterie board, you can include other cheeses like brie, cheddar, or goat cheese to provide variety.
The choice of accompaniments can vary based on your personal preferences and the overall theme of your meal. Baked plums with blue cheese are versatile and can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, so feel free to get creative with your presentation and pairing choices to suit your tastes and the occasion.
If you’re looking for some more easy appetizers, check out these recipes:
Baked Plums With Blue Cheese
Ingredients
- Fresh plums, preferably ripe but not overly soft
- Blue cheese (such as Roquefort, Gorgonzola, or Stilton)
- Honey (for drizzling)
- thyme (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Wash and dry the plums. Cut them in half and remove the pits. Place the plum halves, cut side up, on a baking sheet or in a baking dish.
- Crumble or slice the blue cheese into small pieces. Fill the cavity of each plum half with a small amount of blue cheese. Sprinkle a few chopped or halved walnuts on top of the cheese. Drizzle a little honey over each stuffed plum half. If desired, sprinkle fresh thyme leaves over the plums for added flavor and aroma.
- Bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until the plums are tender and the cheese has melted and slightly caramelized. Keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking. Remove the baked plums from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving. Serve the baked plums with blue cheese as an appetizer or dessert. They pair wonderfully with a glass of wine or as part of a cheese board.
Baked Plums With Blue Cheese