These elegant bites are a great way to start your feast. These elegant bites are a great way to start your feast.

Spicy Pear-And-Cheddar Bites

Can you keep a secret? These seemingly forgettable cheese-and-cracker, were actually one of my favorite recipes in our issue. I’m always looking for a small bite to serve guests before dinner that won’t fill them up. This combination of herby, buttery baked crackers, sharp cheese, sweet pears, and spicy pepper jelly is a robust flavor combination that teases the appetite for the feast to come.

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Prep Time 5

Cook Time 15

Total Time 20

Servings: 8

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Calories: 190

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
3 Tbsp. unsalted butter melted
1 1/2 tsp. finely chopped fresh thyme plus more for garnish
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
2 medium garlic cloves minced (about 2 tsp.)
24 large round buttery crackers from 1 [6.1-oz. pkg., such as Cabaret by Breton)
2 8-oz. blocks smoked sharp white Cheddar cheese, thinly sliced into 2- x 1-in. planks (about 24 slices)
2 small 7 oz. each red Anjou pears, unpeeled, halved lengthwise, and thinly sliced (about 24 slices)
4 Tbsp. hot pepper jelly such as Stonewall Kitchen

Equipment

Small sharp knife (for slicing pear)
Cutting board
Toothpicks or small skewers (for serving)
Baking sheet (if baking/roasting the bites)
Oven (optional, if melted cheddar is used)

Method

Preheat oven to 350°F with racks in top third and lower third positions. Line 2 large rimmed baking sheets using parchment paper. Stir together oil, butter, thyme, garlic powder, salt, and minced garlic in a medium bowl until combined. Arrange crackers in a single layer on prepared baking sheets, and brush evenly with olive oil mixture. Bake in preheated oven until golden brown, about 6 minutes.
Transfer crackers to a platter or board. Top each cracker with a cheese slice and a pear slice. Spoon 1/2 teaspoon pepper jelly over top of each pear slice; garnish with thyme.

Nutrition

Calories: 190kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 4gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 120mgFiber: 1gSugar: 5g

Notes

This recipe was developed by Craig Ruff; the recipe tips were written by Josh Miller.

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Spicy Pear-And-Cheddar Bites