Endive Spears with Stilton Cheese, Toasted Pecans, and Sauteed Pears

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 pears, peeled and diced
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup Stilton cheese, crumbled (or any other blue cheese)
• 25 endive spears
• 1/2 cup pecan halves or 25 pieces, toasted
• Watercress sprigs, for garnish
• 1 cup cream cheese (for presentation)

1. In a large saute pan, over medium heat, add the butter and sugar.
2. Add the diced pears and cook until well caramelized, approximately 8 minutes.
3. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the garlic, red wine vinegar, salt, fresh ground pepper and olive oil.
4. Add the mixture to the Stilton.
5. Assemble the spears 1 by 1, starting with the cheese then the sauteed pear and topping them off with a toasted pecan.
6. These can be garnished with a sprig of watercress or other herb, if desired.
7. Arrange the spears on a plate by first making a small mound of cream cheese and then sticking each spear into the cream cheese in a floral, 3-dimensional pattern.

butter, sugar, garlic, red wine vinegar, salt, freshly ground black pepper, extravirgin olive oil, stilton cheese, endive spears, pecan, sprigs, cream cheese

Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/endive-spears-with-stilton-cheese-toasted-pecans-and-sauteed-pears-recipe.html (may not work)