Patrick Oconnell
Seckel pears are a small, reddish variety of pear with a slightly spicy flavour and a firm, crisp texture. Their petite stature makes them perfect for snacking or adding colour to a cheese board. When it comes to cheese pairings, a few options include goat's cheese, Camembert, Cheddar, and Fontina. The tanginess of goat cheese works well with the sweetness of Seckel pears, while the creaminess of Camembert and Fontina can balance out the pear's spiciness. For a more crumbly and expressive flavour, a bandaged English Cheddar can be a good choice. Seckel pears can also be baked, poached, or used in desserts, providing a versatile option for various culinary creations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Size | Very small, averaging 2-5 cm in diameter and 5-8 cm in length |
| Shape | Tear-dropped with a wide, round body that tapers to a short neck |
| Skin | Smooth, thin, olive green covered in a glossy red blush that slightly darkens when ripe |
| Flesh | Creamy, white to ivory, dense, moist, coarser than other pears |
| Taste | Sweet, crisp, spicy, juicy |
| Seeds | A few black-brown seeds |
| Cheese pairings | Camembert, cheddar, Fontina, goat cheese, manchego cheese, Brie, Cabrales cheese, Roquefort, Gorgonzola, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Stilton, young and mild Chèvre goat cheese |
| Serving suggestions | Poached with vanilla bean and cinnamon, dipped in caramel and chocolate, baked goods, cocktails, paired with arugula and olive oil, topped with walnuts or almonds and honey |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Seckle pears with goat's cheese
Seckel pears are small, bite-sized fruits with a reddish blush and a slightly spicy flavour. They are crisp, juicy, and sweet, making them a perfect match for a variety of cheeses.
One recommended pairing is with a young and mild Chèvre goat cheese. The tanginess of goat cheese works well with the sweetness of the pear, and a young Chèvre ensures the delicate flavour of the Seckel is not overwhelmed. This combination can be served on a crostini or as part of a cheeseboard. To add some extra sweetness and crunch, include walnuts or almonds, and perhaps a drizzle of honey.
For a creamier option, soft goat cheese can be paired with Seckel pears. Spread the cheese on a slice of bread, add a pinch of pepper, and top with thinly sliced pear.
If you're looking for a funkier alternative, try Seckel pears with Camembert. This combination works well as part of a well-put-together cheese board, where the bright skin of the pear adds colour.
For a dessert option, try poaching Seckel pears in pomegranate juice with ground black pepper, and serving with a chunk of Cabrales cheese, a strong blue cheese from northern Spain. This savoury-sweet dessert is a good match for wine.
The Art of Serving Armenian String Cheese
You may want to see also
Seckle pears with cheddar
Seckel pears are one of the smallest varieties of pear, averaging 2-5 centimetres in diameter and 5-8 centimetres in length. They are tear-shaped with a glossy red blush that darkens when ripe. They are sweet, crisp, and juicy, with a creamy, buttery texture. Their petite stature makes them perfect for snacking and adding to a cheese board.
When it comes to cheese, Seckel pears pair well with a range of options, including cheddar. Cheddar refers to a family of cheeses made using the cheddaring technique, a traditional UK cheesemaking process where curds are drained of whey, stacked, and cut into blocks for ageing. For pairing with Seckel pears, it is recommended to choose a cheddar that is crumbly and expressive, such as a bandaged English cheddar. The sharpness and texture of the cheddar provide a nice contrast to the sweetness and crispness of the pear.
When creating a cheese board with Seckel pears and cheddar, consider adding complementary ingredients to enhance the flavours and textures. You might include crackers or crostini, as well as nuts such as Marcona almonds or toasted walnuts. The addition of nuts provides a satisfying crunch and can further emphasise the sweetness of the pears.
For a more creative option, you could try a recipe for Poached Seckel Pear with Pomegranate, Cabrales Cheese, and Szechuan Pepper Ice Cream. This dessert combines the sweetness of the Seckel pear with the strong flavour of Cabrales, a blue cheese from northern Spain. The pears are poached in pomegranate juice with black pepper, then sandwiched with a chunk of Cabrales cheese and glazed with pomegranate sauce. The dish is served with Szechuan pepper ice cream and almond cream, creating a unique and savoury-sweet dessert.
In conclusion, Seckel pears and cheddar is a delightful pairing that can be enjoyed as part of a cheese board or incorporated into more elaborate dishes. The sweetness and crispness of the Seckel pear complement the sharpness and texture of cheddar, particularly when paired with complementary ingredients such as nuts and crackers. For a more adventurous option, the combination of Seckel pear and strong blue cheese, as seen in the Poached Seckel Pear recipe, offers a unique and memorable flavour experience.
The Gouda Guide: Cutting and Serving
You may want to see also
Seckle pears with Camembert
Seckel pears, also known as Sugar or Candy pears, are a unique variety of pear native to North America. They are small, almost bite-sized, with a sweet flavour and a slightly grainy texture. Their petite stature makes them perfect for snacking and adding colour to a cheese board. When creating a cheeseboard with Seckel pears, it is recommended to let the pears ripen fully to ensure the best flavour and texture.
Seckel pears are regarded as one of the sweetest varieties of pear, and their flavour pairs well with creamy, mild cheeses. A recommended cheese to pair with Seckel pears is Camembert, a soft, creamy cheese with a mild flavour. The creaminess of the Camembert complements the sweetness of the Seckel pears, creating a harmonious flavour profile.
To create a delicious appetiser or side dish with Seckel pears and Camembert, consider the following steps:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Slice the Seckel pears in half and remove the seeds.
- Place the pear halves on a baking tray, cut-side up.
- Roast the pears in the oven for 5-10 minutes until they are tender.
- Remove the pears from the oven and top each half with a slice of Camembert cheese.
- Return the tray to the oven and roast for an additional 2 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
- Meanwhile, toss some arugula with olive oil and divide it among salad plates.
- Once the pears and cheese are ready, place them on top of the dressed arugula and serve immediately.
This dish showcases the perfect combination of Seckel pears and Camembert, with the sweetness of the pears balancing the creamy mildness of the cheese. The roasting process further enhances the flavours and creates a delightful melt-in-your-mouth experience.
In addition to Camembert, Seckel pears also pair well with other cheeses such as Cheddar, especially a crumbly and expressive variety like a bandaged English Cheddar. The sharpness of Cheddar can provide a nice contrast to the sweetness of the pears. Furthermore, goat cheese is another excellent option to pair with Seckel pears. The tanginess of young and mild Chèvre goat cheese works in harmony with the sweetness of the pears, and its mildness ensures the delicate flavour of the fruit is not overpowered.
Cheese Tortellini: Sides to Make a Meal
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Seckle pears with gorgonzola
Seckel pears are a brownish-yellow to russet colour with a dark red blush. They are small, almost bite-sized, with a slightly grainy texture. This variety offers a lot of flavour in a little package. When it comes to cheese, Seckel pears pair well with an unassuming yet sophisticated variety that chunks easily, such as cheddar. For a pairing with Seckel pears, opt for something crumbly and expressive, like a bandaged English cheddar.
For a creamier, funkier alternative, soft cheeses like Camembert also go well with Seckel pears. The bright skin of the pear also adds colour to a cheese board. Another option is to pair Seckel pears with Gorgonzola, a type of blue cheese. The sweetness of the pears and the sharp, savoury flavour of the Gorgonzola make for a delicious combination.
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
- Wash, dry, and cut the Seckel pears in half. Use an ice cream scoop or a teaspoon to remove the core.
- Place the pear halves cut-side up on a baking dish or baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Fill each half with a generous chunk of Gorgonzola cheese and a teaspoon of chopped pecan nuts.
- In a medium bowl, add honey, freshly cracked peppercorns, a pinch of cinnamon, freshly grated nutmeg, and some chilli flakes. You can also add sea salt flakes. Mix the ingredients.
- Spoon the honey blend into the cavity of the pears and drizzle a little over the pears, cheese, and nuts, if desired.
- Scatter thyme and finely chopped rosemary.
- Bake in the middle shelf of the oven for 15 minutes or until the cheese has melted and the nuts are toasted.
The pears should be ripe, with a little juice oozing out, but not overripe. The rind and the soft centre of the cheese should be used, creating a variety of textures. This dish can be served as-is, or with soft focaccia or sourdough bread to scoop up the cheese and juices.
Little Caesars Italian Cheese Bread: How Many Servings?
You may want to see also
Seckle pears with fontina
Fontina cheese is a semi-soft to semi-hard cheese with a mild to medium-sharp flavour. It is sweet and pungent, with distinct savoury and nutty notes. Fontina is traditionally produced in the Aosta Valley in the Alps, where the cheese is aged in the region's caves and crevices. The cheese is washed in these Italian caves to develop its signature aroma.
Seckle pears are petite and crisp, with a medium level of sweetness. They are a bright red colour, which makes them a great addition to a cheese board.
When pairing cheese and fruit, it is important to consider how the flavours will work together. In general, goat's cheese works well with the sweetness of pears, as does Camembert, and other soft cheeses. Fontina is a semi-hard cheese, so it may not be the first choice to pair with Seckle pears. However, its sweet and nutty flavour profile could complement the crispness of the pear.
To serve Seckle pears with fontina, the cheese could be cut into small cubes or crumbled, to make it easier to eat alongside the small Seckle pears. The pears could be sliced, or served whole, perhaps with a pot of honey to dip into, to bring out the sweetness and provide a contrast to the savoury cheese. This pairing could be served as part of a larger cheeseboard, with crackers or crostini, and some walnuts or almonds for extra crunch.
For a more creative option, the Seckle pears could be roasted and served with melted fontina on top. This could be served on a bed of rocket leaves, dressed with olive oil, to create a warm salad.
The Ultimate Guide to Serving Sartori Montamore Cheese
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Seckle pears are very small in size, averaging 2-5 centimeters in diameter and 5-8 centimeters in length. They are tear-drop shaped with a wide, round body that tapers to a short neck and woody, brown-green stem. They are also known as sugar or honey pears.
Some cheese and Seckle pear pairings include:
- Fontina and Pinot Noir
- Havarti and Beaujolais
- Cabrales and Szechuan Pepper Ice Cream
- Goat cheese and honey
- Camembert
- Cheddar
Seckle pears also go well with:
- Pomegranate
- Walnuts
- Almonds
- Dijon mustard
- Cucumbers
- Carrots
- Bell pepper
- Cherry tomatoes
- Figs
- Ginger
- Garlic
- Shrimp
- Prosciutto
- Smoked ham
- Chicken
- Pork
- Chocolate
Seckle pears can be used in the following recipes:
- Baked goods like pies, tartlets, and muffins
- Dipped in caramel and chocolate
- Poached with vanilla bean and cinnamon
- Juiced and sliced to serve in cocktails such as mojitos
Seckle pears are best served when ripe as this will ensure the best flavor and texture. They can be sliced and deseeded, or roasted and topped with cheese.
