Top | Jenn Louis

Bruschetta with Pear, Bacon, and Hazelnuts

(recipe, Jenn Louis)

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Introduction

Chef Jenn Louis, of the Portland restaurants Lincoln and Sunshine Tavern, developed this recipe for the Oregon-based Harry & David, longtime gourmet food and fruit purveyors, who passed it on to us. It's a good one to make with a Comice pear, if you don't have the recommended Harry & David pear on hand.

Ingredients

Bruschetta

1. 4 slices ciabatta bread, each slice 1½ inches thick
2. 6 Tbsp. plus 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided

Salad

1. 4 oz. arugula
2. 1 small shallot, sliced thinly
3. 2 oz. hazelnuts, toasted and roughly chopped
4. 1 oz. buttermilk blue cheese, crumbled
5. 1 Harry & David Royal Riviera Pear, cored and quartered
6. 4 slices bacon, cooked but not crisp
7. 2 Tbsp. aged balsamic vinegar
8. Maldon salt
9. Black pepper

Steps

1. Make the bruschetta: In a large saucepan, heat 6 tablespoons olive oil. Once hot, brown the ciabatta on both sides, then set the bruschetta aside.
2. Make the salad: In a medium bowl, combine the arugula, shallot, hazelnuts, and blue cheese. Slice the pear thinly and add it to the salad. Cut the bacon in ¼-inch pieces while warm and add it to the salad. Dress with the reserved 2 tablespoons olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Season with Maldon salt and pepper.
3. Serve: Place one piece of bruschetta on each of four plates. Top with salad and drizzle additional extra-virgin olive oil and aged balsamic vinegar to taste.