By Luci
For a flawless fall feast, feature a fall fruit - pears are perfect. The menu items are interesting and pretty but simple to prepare. Delicious, too, and satisfying with the warm flavors we love when chilly weather arrives. Each course contains at least one dish with pear. Different courses use different pear varieties in different ways to showcase the versatility of pears. Look for tree-ripened pears for maximum flavor.
APPETIZERS
Seckle Pears with Mascarpone and Chives
Use a melon baller to form a hollow in each half of a Seckel pear. Fill with mascarpone mixed with chopped chives, a bit of lemon zest and some grated parmesan cheese.
Gorgonzola, Speck and Comice Pear Crostini
Peel, core and dice Comice pears, draining them if there is excessive juice. Mix with Gorgonzola cheese. Place a strip of Speck on a lightly toasted crostini and top with the cheese/pear mixture. Broil until cheese melts.
Munchies
Serve small bowls of dried fruits, including pears of course, and warmed-up roasted nuts.
Beverage
Pear cider or beer would be awesome. So would pear brandy mixed with sparkling wine or ginger ale.
SOUP
Bartlett Pear, Leek & Fennel Dolloped with Cream and Pear Brandy
Roast Bartlett pears, leeks and fennel. Simmer for 20 minutes with sautéed herbs (thyme, sage and rosemary), chicken or vegetable stock and white wine. Puree. For the dollops: whip heavy cream with a bit of salt and pear brandy.
Beverage
The white wine used in the soup. We favor a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.
ENTREÉ
Roast Pork with Cumberland Sauce
Rub a pork roast with garlic, salt and pepper. Roast. Serve with a Cumberland sauce.
Wild Rice with Maple-Caramelized Bosc Pears
Sauté small chunks of peeled Bosc pears in butter for about 5 minutes. Add maple syrup and cook over medium-high heat until pears are caramelized. Mix with cooked wild rice. Serve hot.
Broccoli Rabe
Use your favorite recipe for the rabe. Our preference is for quickly steaming moistened rabe. Put it in a skillet in which garlic was sautéed in e.v.o.o. Cover and steam for about five minutes. For the best taste and visual appeal, use just the florets with a few of the leaves just below it.
Beverage
A good, medium-bodied red wine is our preference, but many will prefer a dry white with substantial body.
SALAD
Red Pears and Arugula with Pear Vinaigrette
Slices of sweet, soft, red pear placed on green, crisp, bitter arugula produce harmonious contrasts of taste, color and texture for a simple but sophisticated salad. For pearfection, dress with pear vinegar, canola or grape seed oil, salt and pepper.
DESSERTS
Poached Pears with Vanilla Créme
For pearfect poached pears that boost peariness to a surprising height, prepare the poaching liquid with half pear nectar and half water plus vanilla. For the sauce, follow a recipe for vanilla créme.
Crisp Chocolate Cookies
For perfect contrast in taste and texture to the pale, soft, sweet pear, serve very thin, very crisp, very dark chocolate cookies. I once used thin Oreos, shown here, after a guest mentioned her passion for Oreo cookies, beloved by so many for its marvelous contrast of taste and texture.
Beverage
Pear brandy, of course. Or try a variation on Irish coffee. Use pear brandy instead of Irish whiskey and top the coffee with whipped, sweetened heavy cream mixed with the brandy.
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