Serate Autunnali…Autumn Evenings…

Still so warm here… well into the evening,  making for perfect alfresco dining.  Autumn touches on the table made by me…because nature isn't really showing much Autumn in the garden around here… Pumpkins,  my absolute favorite… I remember the excitement of rushing home from school on Halloween as a young girl,  so excited to carve the pumpkins before going out Trick or Treating.  I think that I have finally out grown my extreme love for Halloween,  although I still enjoy it,  my excitement now is more about fall,  and decorating pumpkins in ways other than the typical jack o lantern style…of course  there will always be at least one or two jack o lanterns on the porch on Halloween Night  to welcome the trick or treaters…

Brie Con pera... Poached Pear on Brie...

Brie cheese is so decadent and incredibly delicious...  I love it soft and warm,  served with fruit and  Toasted Almonds,  or any nut for that matter.  This time ,  I topped it with a Pear,  which I poached in white wine.  When the pear was soft,  I removed it from the wine, then  added Balsamic Vinegar  and reduced it down until it was quite syrupy... then added some honey.  I drizzled this dark , slightly sweet  syrup over the Pear which I had placed upon a wedge of Brie that I had warmed  in the oven at 350 for a few minutes,  until it was soft.  I then sprinkled it with  a few Toasted Almonds...  Served with Bread and Wine (obviously ).... Spectacular!

Antipasto di Torta di Pere e Ricotta... Pear & Ricotta Appetizer Tart...

I always like to use Seasonal ingredients in my cooking. With Fall in the air,  Pears are an obvious choice,  and one of my favorite  Fall Fruits.  I sauteed the Pear Halves in a little Butter and Rosemary...

 I make fresh Ricotta several times a week and had a little left over,   which was perfect,  because it was a little firmer than if I had just made it.  I made a small tart shell from purchased Puff Pastry,   filled the Pastry with the Ricotta which I mixed with a little honey,  and topped with the Sauteed Pears...

Then I topped it all off  with a few Candied Walnuts which I had made the day before.  I baked the Tart for about 15 minutes...

Jim said it was one of his Favorite  Appetizers...

Fruit, Nuts, Cheese, classic combination...  Seriously Delicious...