Description
Roasted Beet Blue Cheese Towers with Pear & Balsamic Glaze are elegant, flavor-packed stacks made with tender roasted beets, juicy pears, tangy blue cheese, and a sweet-tart balsamic reduction. Perfect as a stunning appetizer or side dish for special occasions.
Ingredients
- 4 medium fresh beets
- 2 ripe pears, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup blue cheese (Gorgonzola or Roquefort), crumbled
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- Fresh thyme or microgreens (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Wash and trim the beets. Wrap each in foil, place on a baking sheet, and roast for 45–60 minutes until fork-tender.
- While beets roast, prepare the balsamic glaze: simmer balsamic vinegar with honey or maple syrup in a small saucepan over low heat until reduced by half. Let cool.
- Let roasted beets cool slightly, then peel and slice into 1/4-inch thick rounds.
- Slice pears into 1/4-inch thick rounds or wedges, removing the core and seeds.
- To assemble towers, alternate layers of beet slices, blue cheese crumbles, and pear slices. Repeat for 2–3 layers, finishing with blue cheese on top.
- Drizzle balsamic glaze over the assembled towers and garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
- Serve immediately at room temperature or slightly chilled.
Notes
- Use golden beets for a colorful variation and milder flavor.
- Substitute goat cheese or feta if preferred over blue cheese.
- Toss pear slices in lemon juice to prevent browning.
- Add toasted nuts like walnuts or pecans for crunch.
- Use store-bought pre-cooked beets and balsamic glaze to save time.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Modern European
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tower
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 11g
- Sodium: 270mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
