Dec 03 2008
A Pleasant Surprise
One of those recipes I’d been half-dreading and wondering whether I could fob off on other people.
- Marsala Honey Pears with Gorgonzola
The reason for my dread was my mistaken belief that I do not like Gorgonzola. Strange, for someone who is generally a fan of their blue cheeses. Apart from various rather unpleasant Walnut and Gorgonzola filled fresh pastas, as far as I’m aware my only genuine experience of Gorgonzola was at a friend’s Wine Tasting Birthday Party last year. I’m certain that I came away from that firmly resolved to avoid Gorgonzola in the future.
Thing is, tonight, I loved this cheese. It was blue and creamy and had a varied texture. I honestly don’t know how I came to have this incorrect impression of Gorgonzola. It’s not as if my taste in cheese has changed over the last year. I can only come to the rather sorry conclusion that perhaps at this party last year I avoided the Gorgonzola, on the basis of dodgy pasta experiences in the past. I really hope that’s not the case. History does not relate.
Anyhoo! We had this pudding tonight as a sneaky ‘end of holiday’ late night treat, practically a midnight feast. We were both really impressed- with the soft fruity pears which went ever so well with the creamy cheese, and with the sticky sweet walnuts. Dougal remarked that he’d happily eat the cheese on its own, with just some oatcakes, but I have to say I thought the pomp and ceremony rather suited it. A nicely silly pudding, in a grand way. We may well revisit it, although we’re not great for having pears handy so who sadly I think it will have to be planned rather than a delightful impromptu meeting of flavours. Do give this a try!
