I love an easy appetizer, one that can wow my guests with not only flavor but beauty. This is it. I found this recipe in a cheese-y magazine that I have turned to often for my research when writing the Cheese Shop Mysteries and now with the Cookbook Nook Mysteries…because the second in the series, INHERIT THE WORD, features a grilled cheese competition. Oh, yum!!

 

Anyway, this appetizer is easy to construct.

 

For those who don’t know, Camembert (rhymes with pear) is like a Brie. It is a surface-ripened cow’s cheese with a firm white rind, first made in Camembert, Normandy in the 18th century. When served at room temperature, the cheese becomes soft. The rind is edible and is needed in this recipe to hold the shape of the appetizer. Some people prefer to eat the cheese without the rind. That’s okay! I would serve this appetizer with a fruity sauvignon blanc.

 

Enjoy!

 

CAMEMBERT PEAR APPETIZER

 

Ingredients:

1 8 oz. round of Camembert

1 Tablespoon butter

1 Bosc pear, peeled and cut into tiny cubes

1 Tablespoon rosemary (fresh, if you can, chopped)

2 Tablespoons Triple Sec (or other orange liqueur r)

2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1 Tablespoon honey

 

Directions:

Remove the Camembert from the refrigerator and slice in half. Set aside.

 

Peel the Bosc pear. (It does not have to be completely ripe; may be firm)

 

Heat the butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. Add the pear and cook about 3-4 minutes, until the pear is tender. Add the rosemary and Triple Sec. Cook another minute.

 

Remove the pears from the pan.

 

Set one half of the Camembert, bloomy rind side down, on a pretty serving dish. Pour almost all of the pears (except 2 Tablespoons) on the bottom half of the Camembert. Top with the other half of Camembert (bloomy rind on top). Top with the remaining pears.

 

Return the saucepan to the stove. Add the balsamic vinegar and honey and cook about one to two minutes, letting the combination reduce. Pour over the cheese and pears. Serve immediately (if you can, but sometimes guests aren’t always on time). It’s lovely at room temperature, too.

 

 

QUESTION: Do you browse magazines or cookbooks for recipes or both? Does a beautiful picture make you want to make a recipe?

 

Final Sentence

Series: Cookbook Nook Mystery

Publisher: Berkley

Paperback: 304 pages

ISBN: 978-0425258040

Source: Cozy Mystery Reviews

 

Final Sentence is the first book in the Cookbook Nook Mystery series written by Daryl Wood Gerber.  This series features Jenna Hart and her new venture- which should make cozy mystery lovers and foodies happy- as  she mentions several great cozy mystery books and cookbooks in her writing.

Jenna Hart moves back to Crystal Cove to manage the Cookbook Nook for her Aunt Vera. Jenna is in need of a change since her husband, David,  has died in a boating accident- she’s looking for a fresh start and a way to occupy her time. The Cookbook Nook has a special grand opening planned with celebrity cook, Desiree Divine (who Jenna went to college with) being the main attraction. Desiree and Jenna are looking forward to the grand opening- until Desiree’s sister tells Jenna that Desiree and David had an affair.  Before the grand opening can happen, Desiree’s body is found on the beach- and Jenna becomes a suspect!

Jenna knows she didn’t kill Desiree- so to help clear her name, she begins investigating on her own. Jenna finds several other people who would have liked to hurt Desiree- her sister, her current lover, an old restaurant friend/mentor- and several others. Jenna realizes that she’s got to get to the bottom of this investigation before the police arrive to put the handcuff on Jenna.

Set in a charming town, Final Sentence is a cute little cozy. The Cookbook Nook is a nice little place for mystery and foodie fans- and Jenna is a delightful main character.

 

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

Final Sentence is a good first book in a series. The mystery, the characters, the setting- all interesting. The only problem (to me) is that one character, Katie, says “Hoo Boy” a few too many times. For fans of cozy mystery books, this will be sure to please.

 

DARYL WOOD GERBER aka AVERY AAMES pens the Agatha Award-winning, nationally bestselling Cheese Shop Mystery series. As DARYL, she writes A Cookbook Nook Mystery series, featuring a culinary bookshop and café owner. Daryl’s short stories have been nominated for the Agatha, Anthony, and other awards. As an actress, Daryl has appeared in “Murder, She Wrote” and more. Visit Daryl & Avery at www.darylwoodgerber.com. Check out her recipes on her blog www.mysteryloverskitchen.com and friend her on Facebook. 

 

*GIVEAWAY: Thanks to Daryl Wood Gerber, each blog stop on the Final Sentence blog tour sponsored by Cozy Mystery Reviews has a copy of Final Sentence to give to a lucky person! Comment on this post for a chance to win- please include your email (you may use the AT and DOT).

Giveaway is open to US only (sorry!) and will begin July 8th and end July 11th at 11:59PM EST.  Winner will be notified on July 12 and will have 48 hours to reply to email before a new winner is chosen.