Birthday Bash in the Wine Country

Seems we're always talking about wine country trips (yep, we're "winos"!)...but this past weekend was something very special...Meg turned 30. Gather up all your friends and family, rent a too-cool farmhouse in a vineyard, sample wine all day and then cook like crazy at night. The "crazy" part was mine.

While the guests were outside playing a rousing game of bocce ball, I headed to the kitchen to start the birthday dinner preparations. This one seemed like a big hit and was fairly easy to prepare.

Pear and Blue Cheese Tart

1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed

1 large egg

2/3 cup gorgonzola dolce cheese

½ small onion, halved and sliced

1 Tbl. olive oil

1 ripe pear, thinly sliced

2 Tbl. fresh thyme leaves

Preheat oven to 425˚.

Lay dough flat on rimmed baking

sheet lined with parchment paper. Poke holes all over

dough with a fork, leaving the outer inch untouched.

Bake until dough starts to puff, about 8-10 min.

Whisk together egg and cheese until smooth and spread

over dough, using a spoon to move mixture toward

the corners. Sauté onion in oil in frying pan until

softened. Scatter onion over cheese and arrange pear

slices on top. Bake until pastry is golden brown and egg

has set, about 15 min. Sprinkle with thyme and cut

into squares.

Not only was the presentation pretty, it had the added benefit of bringing forward the tastes that pair so well with wine…fruit and cheese. Festive for fall and just right for a group of oenophiles! Great time but my only concern now is…how the heck are we going to top that when she turns 31?

--The Mother