Blue Cheese Stuffed Baked Pears

Ingredients

• 6 pears
• 4 tsp. fresh lemon juice
• 2 tbsp. granulated sugar
• 14 sheets phyllo dough
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted)
• 1 pinch sugar and kosher salt
• 1 1/2 tsp. additional granulated sugar (for baking)

For stuffing

• 2 large black mission figs
• 1/4 cup toasted Oregon hazelnuts
• 2 tbsp. chopped dates
• 1/2 tsp. sugar
• fresh orange zest
• 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/16 tsp. ground clove
• Garnish with blue cheese and fresh figs

Instructions

1. Prepare pears in batches of three for uniform cooking in the microwave.
2. Peel pears and add lemon juice immediately to prevent browning.
3. Next, add sugar, coat evenly, and place in a covered bowl.
4. Microwave on high power for 2 minutes and leave covered for an additional 5 minutes.
5. Carefully unwrap pears and chill; meanwhile, gently mix together the fall fruits.
6. Once the pears have cooled, stuff them with the fall fruits and freeze upright for 30 minutes.
7. Preheat oven to 375F.
8. Place 1 sheet of phyllo dough onto a cutting board and lightly brush with butter.
9. Add another sheet on top and repeat until the stack is 7 sheets thick.
10. Sprinkle with salt and sugar. Cut the phyllo sheet length ways into 2-inch strips.
11. Gently roll the phyllo around the pear using additional butter as necessary.
12. On a lined sheet or pan, place 6 evenly spaced, 1/4 teaspoon mounds of the reserved granulated sugar.
13. Place each pear onto the portioned sugar and bake for approximately 20 minutes.
14. Serve warm and garnish with blue cheese and fresh figs.