Looking for a tasty, easy, hit all the taste buds, appetizer? I got you! This recipe for Prosciutto Wrapped Pears wrapped with a balsamic reduction is it. It is so fancy, you will do a double take at how easy it is.

Pear Options

I had to do a little research on pears. I always grab Bosc pears (the ones with the brown skin). Why? That’s what I prefer. Harry & David have the absolutely most delicious Bartletts (lighter green skin).

“Bosc” pears have a spicy-sweet flavor and crisp flesh. This variety ripens early and, unlike “Bartlett,” tastes sweet even when the skin and flesh are hard. “Bartlett” pears, on the other hand, are best consumed when fully ripe — when the flesh gives slightly to finger pressure.

SFGATE.COM

With a big meal like Thanksgiving coming up, pears are a good choice to serve. Pears aid in digestion! They have 6 grams of fiber! Did you know, that’s more than 1 cup of kale?!

Pears are good for your heart, and are free radical fighters.

Eating Well

Keep Pears from Oxidizing

Pears are like apples, they will brown shortly after being cut. To prevent this with this beautiful appetizer, you’ll need a lemon and a bowl of cool water.

Squeeze the lemon juice into the cool water. Put your cut pears in the water as soon as you cut them. When ready to roll, take them out and place on a tea or paper towel.

If you like this recipe, you’ll love these Lox Pinwheels with Caper Cream Cheese.

Delicious Vinegar

All this talk on the health benefits of pears, but lets not bypass the balsamic vinegar! I am a huge fan of vinegar. Oh the tanginess!

Vinegar based BBQ sauce is what I prefer, and that’s coming from a Kansas City girl, born and raised. I typically choose a vinaigrette over any other dressing. I love me some sauerkraut on just about anything (try it in your next batch of ham & beans – you can thank my grandpa).

Here are 8 health benefits of balsamic vinegar, according to Medical News Today:

• Improves skin health
• Reduces blood sugar
• Promotes healthy digestion
• Lowers cholesterol
• Aids in losing weight, by making you feel fuller longer
• Relieving congestion
• Reducing acid reflux
• Promoting blood circulation

That’s impressive! Vinegar shots for all!

Balsamic Reduction

Balsamic reduction sounds fancy and cheffy. But don’t let that stop you! It’s the easiest thing to make and doesn’t take long to reach that thick syrupy state.

This will bring those prosciutto wrapped pears over the top! As always, start with a good quality, aged balsamic. Get this at a olive oil and vinegar shop or online.

To make the Balsamic Reduction:

1. Pour Balsamic in a small pot or sauce pan
2. If using herbs, add it in
3. Bring to a boil
4. Reduce heat to a simmer
5. Stir
6. Take off the heat right before it reaches your desired thickness

Balsamic will continue to thicken while it is cooling. This whole process usually only takes 10 minutes. Keep an eye on it. I’ve turned many of batches into a rock solid mess. Don’t leave the kitchen while you have balsamic on the stove.

Not a rosemary fan? Use another herb, or omit. Heck, even wrapping prosciutto around a pear wedge, is good. Just what ever you do, make these for your next get together. Or make prosciutto wrapped pears all for yourself, for an up scale night on the couch.

Prosciutto

Prosciutto has half the calories and fat as bacon. You won’t lose any flavor with prosciutto. However, it is like bacon in sodium… it’s high. Limit yourself to 1 or 2 slices. In this recipe, you will cut each slice of prosciutto in half, so that helps.

Blue Cheese

Blue cheese compliments pears so well. I like to use Moody Blue in this recipe. It’s a mildly smoked blue cheese, and it is amazing!

If you are not a huge blue cheese fan, try Gorgonzola. Gorgonzola is a mild blue. Or a soft goat cheese would be delicious too. If dairy free, these are perfectly fine sans cheese.

Roll ‘Em

Now for the fun part! These apps are easy to make. Here’s how:

1. Cut a piece of prosciutto in half length wise
2. Place a pear wedge on the top third of the prosciutto
3. Add a piece of cheese next to the pear
4. Roll it up, place on serving platter
5. Drizzle balsamic reduction over the top

These are great around the holidays, but they are really fabulous any time of the year!

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Thanks for reading along. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do. If you would like more healthy recipes like this one sent right to your inbox, sign up for my Recipe Drops. They’re always FREE.