Name: PEAR-FECT DATE DUO APPETIZER
Ingredients: 1 Firm ripe medium pear, peeled, quartered lengthwise and cored; 2 cups Water; 2 Chai flavored tea bags; 2 tsp Extra virgin olive oil; 1 cup Chopped red onion; 1/2 cup Pitted chopped California grown dried dates; 2 tsp Minced garlic; 1/2 tsp Ground all spice; 1/4 tsp Salt; 1 tsp Dijon mustard; 2 oz Crumbled good quality blue cheese; 1 Small box 2-inch diameter (either round or square) crackers; 1/2 cup Toasted pecan halves

Instructions

Place pear in a medium saucepan, cover with water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Remove from heat, add the tea bags to the saucepan, cover with lid and let steep for 5 minutes. Pour off all but 3 tablespoons of the tea liquid, set aside. Lay pear quarters onto paper towels to drain.

Heat oil over medium in a medium skillet, add onions, sauté for 5 minutes; stir in dates, garlic, all spice and salt, sauté for 2 minutes more. Whisk in reserved tea liquid and mustard. Transfer date mixture into food processor whirl until a slightly chunky paste forms, scraping down the sides of the work bowl a few times if needed. Remove blade from food processor, stir in blue cheese.

To serve slice pear quarters crosswise into 1/2-inch thick pieces. Spread about 1 teaspoon of date mixture on top of each cracker, add a piece of pear on next and last top<br />

with a pecan.

Serves 6 to 8.

Keywords: pear date appetizer, chai-infused pear recipe, date and pear duo, blue cheese appetizer, holiday appetizer ideas, pear and date topping, unique cracker topping, pecan and blue cheese bites, elegant date appetizers, pear chutney recipe

PEAR-FECT DATE DUO APPETIZER