Who doesn’t love a little toast? I definitely do, although I’ve always thought of toast as a really odd phenomenon: we hate stale bread, and even cold toast, but something about a hot crunchy piece of bread is amazing! Hot toast with butter melted into it really can’t be beat. Except by adding cinnamon and sugar. Mmm.

These crostinis are a fun twist on a classic little toast. The hot crunch of bread, combined with the sweet softness of pear, salty sharpness of blue cheese, and flavor of sage leaves, combines for a wonderful appetizer or snack. Or in my case, lunch! Derek even went so far as to pour salted olive oil over his (which I’ll admit was delicious!).

Pear, Sage, and Blue Cheese Crostinis

Recipe adapted from Sunset Magazine

4 Tbsp butter, divided (or olive oil)
3 ripe pears, chopped
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 whole wheat baguette, sliced
5 fresh sage leaves, diced
1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
fresh black pepper

Preheat the oven to 375 F.

Spread each slice with a thin layer of butter or olive oil, then bake for 10-15 minutes (until toasted) on a cookie sheet.

In a frying pan, melt 1 tablespoon of butter and cook pears with salt for about 6 minutes – until soft and warmed through. Remove from heat, drain excess liquid, then mix with chopped sage.

Top toasted bread with pear mixture and crumbled blue cheese. Finish with fresh ground black pepper, and olive oil if desired.

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