Cheese and Fruit Course | Edible Paradise

Fruit Desserts

Poached Quince with Cardamom

Cheese and Fruit Course, Desserts and Treatspoached quince, quince

This fall dessert showcases tender poached quince in a simple syrup redolent with cardamom and cinnamon. It’s perfect for a special occasion or when you want to serve guests a unique dessert. INGREDIENTS: For the Poached Quince: 4 ripe quinces, washed, cut in half, cores removed 2 cups granulated sugar 4 cups water 4-5 cardamom...

Baked Pears with Caramel Sauce

Cheese and Fruit Coursebaked pears, breakfast, pears

These memorable baked pears were served at a now-closed bed and breakfast called The Elms in Napa Valley. They were presented as the first course while we waited for the breakfast main dish to be served. The B & B owner was gracious enough to share this simple recipe with me. This is one of...

Date Balls

Appetizers, Appetizers Cold, Cheese and Fruit Courseappetizer, cream cheese, dates

Somewhere between an appetizer and a dessert, cheese date balls are delicious served with sherry, port, or dessert wine. INGREDIENTS: 1 8 oz. package cream cheese, slightly softened 1 tablespoon milk 1/2 cup finely chopped dates 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts Extra finely chopped nuts for rolling METHOD: In a food processor mixing bowl, mix...

Vanilla Port Poached Pears with Blue Cheese and Walnuts

Appetizers Cold, Cheese and Fruit Coursebrunch, dessert, first course, pears, poached pears

Succulent wine-poached pears stuffed with a creamy blue cheese filling are equally delicious as a first course or sophisticated dessert. Poached pears also make a sublime addition to a weekend brunch menu. INGREDIENTS: For Poached Pears: 1 cup granulated sugar 1 cup water 1 vanilla bean, split, scraped 1 sprig fresh rosemary Rind of 1...

Baked Pears with Spiced Rum Sauce

Cheese and Fruit Course, Desserts and Treats, Gluten Free, Gluten Free Dessertsbaked pears, brunch, desserts, gluten-free, pears

A simple, fall dessert — for a stunning presentation, plate with a dollop of whipped cream or a small scoop of vanilla ice cream. These baked pears are equally good served at brunch! INGREDIENTS: 4 pears, any variety, almost ripe (peeled) 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/3 cup butter 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg 1...

Spiced Port Poached Figs with Honeyed Cream

Cheese and Fruit Coursedessert, figs, poached figs, port

INGREDIENTS: 12 fresh, ripe medium figs 1/4 cup honey 4 cups port wine pinch of salt 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar 2 lemons, zested 2 oranges, zested 2 whole cloves 2 cinnamon sticks 3 star anise 8 peppercorns Honeyed Cream ½ cup heavy cream ½ cup sour cream 1 tablespoon honey Mint leaves, for garnish METHOD:...

Vanilla Amaretto Figs

Cheese and Fruit Course, Desserts and Treatsdessert, fig fruit topping, figs, fresh figs, poached figs

INGREDIENTS: 12 fresh California Mission figs, washed and dried 1 vanilla bean, split and opened 1 cup Amaretto liqeuer 1 cup filtered water 1 cup sugar METHOD: Cut figs in half, lengthwise. Fill a large, wide-mouth canning jar with the fig halves. Place vanilla bean on top. Set aside. In a large saucepan, combine amaretto,...

Honey-Roasted Shiro Plums with Thyme and Crème Fraîche

Cheese and Fruit Course, Treatsdessert, plums, shiro plums

This is a delightful summer dessert, easy to make, and delicious to eat! INGREDIENTS: 1/2 cup (packed) brown sugar 1/4 cup honey 4 tablespoons unsalted butter 1/2 cup fresh thyme sprigs 6 large Shiro plums, ripe but firm plums (about 2 pounds), halved, pitted Crème fraîche (or slightly thinned Greek yogurt) Additional fresh thyme sprigs...