Let me tell you a little secret.
I love cheese. All of it — every variety, any time. But the very best is cheese that’s golden, bubbly, melty and slightly caramelized.
There’s something irresistible about that browned, crunchy layer of cheese. I used to obsess over the browned top of boxed mac and cheese — microwave quirks would often leave a perfectly toasted portion that I’d eat on its own. Even now I remember those tiny crispy bits with fondness.
My all-time favorite was a homemade version—topped with bacon and impossibly good—but it’s hard to beat the simple pleasure of browned cheese straight from the oven.
That’s why this broiled feta is so perfect: it becomes soft and baked, then gets a quick blast under the broiler to brown and bubble. Topped with caramelized cinnamon pears, toasted pecans and a drizzle of honey, it’s sweet and savory in every bite.
This is my likely go-to appetizer for the next couple of months — rich, showy and surprisingly easy. Please invite me somewhere so I can bring it.
Also: today is my dad’s birthday. Even though he might not be a fan of warm fruit and melty cheese, he always jokes that his birthdays disappeared when I was born the day before — so this one’s practically my gift to him. He’s an amazing dad, so I’ll throw in some cookies just in case.
Broiled Feta with Caramelized Cinnamon Pears
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Ingredients
- 2 (8-ounce) blocks of feta cheese
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 large pear, very thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup pecans, chopped
- 3-4 tablespoons honey
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 C).
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Heat a large skillet over medium-low and add the butter. Stir in pear slices, salt, cinnamon and brown sugar, tossing to coat. Cook 8–10 minutes until the pears are soft and caramelized. In a separate small skillet, toast the pecans over low heat for about 5 minutes until fragrant. Set aside.
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Cut both feta blocks in half and place them in a baking dish or pie plate. Brush with olive oil. Bake for 10 minutes, then switch the oven to broil and broil on high for 3–4 minutes. Place the dish on a higher rack but not directly under the broiler. Check after 1–2 minutes and remove once the cheese is golden and bubbly.
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Top the hot feta with the caramelized pears and any pan juices, sprinkle with toasted pecans, and drizzle with honey. Serve immediately with pita chips, crackers, fruit or raw vegetables.
Notes
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Cheeeeeeeese.