Sunday, September 21, 2008

Pear, Brie, Walnut and Prosciutto Baguettes with 15 yr Old Balsamic

Who doesn't love anything packed between a good piece of bread? Sandwiches just might be one of the best things ever invented! Some of my best food memories have to do with them. In Spain on a culinary tour, we had just arrived and were absolutely famished so my friends and I wandered down the street and picked up a baguette, some local serrano ham and manchego cheese and brought it back to the hotel, where we tore the baguette open with our hands, leaving crumbs all over the bed and stuffed it with the meat and cheese. So simple, soo good! In Italy my fam and I came across a local bakery that had the most gorgeous flatbreads that had zucchini and tomatoes baked right in, across the street we picked up some salami and pecorino cheese and made open faced sandwiches which we brought back to our hotel and ate in the picturesque backyard garden. I will never forget that lunch! I first had this pear, brie, walnut and prosciutto creation at a little place called Finch's in Van. Cutest place ever, the menu is written on chalk boards and they have the most gorgeous antique stove which can only bake 6 chocolate chip cookies at a time! (Some of the best cookies in the city I might add). Finch's uses a blue brie cheese so if you can get your hands on that, even better! From time to time I like to re-create this sandwich at home and I really think this might be the best combo ever, from the sweetness of the pear to the saltiness of the prosciutto to the creaminess of the brie, crunch of the toasted walnuts and tang of the balsamic vinegar, it's got it all! Fruit, cheese, bread and meat...all bases covered!

Pear, Brie, Walnut, Prosciutto Baguette
(Really this recipe is self-explanatory but here are the ingredients anyway!)
Crusty Baguette
Brie Cheese (Or Blue brie cheese if you can find it or any soft cheese)
Pear
Prosciutto
Walnuts (Toasted)
Balsamic Vinegar (I used 15 yr old balsamic)
Olive oil

1.Tear open baguette, drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Spread cheese over baguette, stuff with prosciutto and fan pears inside and sprinkle in toasted walnuts.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

brilliant sandwich. I have fond memories of how good our makeshift hotel bedside picnic was.

Amy of Sing For Your Supper said...

Wow, what a gorgeous looking sandwich!!

-Amy
www.singforyoursupperblog.com

Anonymous said...

So glad to know that pears and prosciutto go well together - now that it's autumn, I definitely want to start making some sandwiches with pears. Your baguettes sound so delicious! :-)

Nina Timm said...

You have all my favorite flavors all wrapped up in a baguette... add a mug of coffee and I'm in!!!!

La Madame Chapeau said...

Hello Laura,

I found your page by chance while surfing on Stumble.

What a lovley blog with mouthwatering recipes!

Simply love it!

Cheers from Istanbul,
Banu

Lois said...

Awwww Laura, I think your sandwiches are what I miss most about you! I remember when we used to go to Lake Bonavista and you'd always have a fun new sandwich to try...oh how I wish we lived closer :-) Miss you tremendously. xo

Anonymous said...

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