Fall Robust Flavors

By Cindy Adams

Thanksgiving is such a wonderful time for feasting, celebrating, and indulging in delicious appetizers, entrees and cocktails. In general, a traditional meal features robust flavors that are fun to compliment with creative cocktail pairings.

A favorite combination I found for fall is pumpkins, apples, pears, and ginger, with some sage and thyme added in. Start with Pear & Brie Skewers for an appetizer while sipping a Bourbon Pear Spritzer, then try Pumpkin Gnocchi, and end with Brown Butter Apple Pear Pie. Enjoy baking!

These pear and brie cheese salad skewers are made with arugula, walnuts, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. They’re such a quick + easy, sweet + savory party appetizer idea that your guests will love!

INGREDIENTS:

2 pears
Approx. 8 ounces brie cheese
Approx. 2 cups baby arugula
Approx. 1/4 cup raw walnuts, chopped
Balsamic glaze, to drizzle (or balsamic vinegar)

INSTRUCTIONS:

Slice pears into quarters and remove seeds and stem. Cut quarters into roughly 1/2-inch cubes.
Cut brie cheese into similar-sized, 1/2-inch cubes.

Tip: I found that leaving the rind on made the skewers a little less sticky to handle!

Take a small (4-inch) skewer, and thread a piece of pear, a bundle of arugula, and then a piece of cheese onto it. Place skewer on a serving platter and repeat until all cheese and pears are used up.

Gently press a few pieces of chopped walnuts onto the brie cheese so that they stick. Drizzle balsamic glaze over top of skewers and enjoy!