Cookin' Lean with Sandra Lee: Gorgonzola-Pear Toasts

It's not the typical appetizer I would serve to a basement full of men watching a football game, but the fans appreciated this new addition to the line up on Sunday.

If you have ever seen Sandra Lee, then you already know why I like her cookin' style. Everything is "semi-homemade", which saves on time and sometimes even on money. She can take just a few store bought ingredients, add a few fresh ingredients and "presto", you have a dish that is dressed to impress. It's so smart!

Here is a great recipe inspired by Sandra Lee. These Gorgonzola-Pear Toasts to throw together for house guests and family over the next week or so. So simple, Kimber and her friend Aubrey did a lot of the work for me!

GORGONZOLA-PEAR TOASTS
Makes 40 (Serves 10)

INGREDIENTS

• 1 Whole Grain baguette, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
• 1/2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 8-ounce package Fat Free PHILADELPHIA cream cheese
• 4 ounces crumbled Reduced-Fat Gorgonzola cheese
• 2 15-ounce cans NO SUGAR ADDED sliced pears, drained
• 1/4 cup pecans, chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon SPLENDA
• 5 sprays "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter"
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
• Additional pinch ground cinnamon for garnish

DIRECTIONS
 
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly brush 1 side of each baguette slice with olive oil. Place the slices on a baking sheet and toast 5 to 7 minutes, or just until beginning to brown. Let cool.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the cream cheese and Gorgonzola cheese, stirring until well mixed.

Kimber & her friend Aubrey takin' care of the mixing for me.

In a small skillet over low heat, warm chopped pecans with sprays of ICBINB. Sprinkle with cinnamon and Splenda. Toast for about 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat and save for topping.

Spread the toasts with the cheese mixture. Top with the pear slices and chopped sweetened pecans. Sprinkle with the parsley and additional cinnamon.

RESULTS

So good! So simple! I love when you can throw something together in less than 15 minutes that looks a little fancy. That's what a little Gorgonzola and some pear slices will do, I guess.

If your store doesn't have reduced-fat Gorgonzola, don't worry about it. It is a nice little savings, yet when 4 ounces is being shared among 10 servings...you can afford to use the real deal.

Fat free cream cheese and no sugar added pears round out the smart switches. The whole grain baguette is just an added bonus. Again, if you can't find one, not a big deal. The real savings are in the cream cheese & home-made sweetened pecans. Just check out the savings!

NUTRITION FACTS (Per Serving/4 Toasts):

BEFORE: 256.8 calories / 15.4g fat / 23.38g carbohydrate / 6.87g protein / 2.26g fiber
AFTER: 158.8 calories / 5.2g fat / 21.17g carbohydrate / 9.97g protein / 2.4g fiber
SAVES: 98 calories / 10.2g fat / 2.21g carbohydrate

*PRINT~FRIENDLY*

Well, it's not a "Livin' Lean Topic Tuesday" post, but I thought a great recipe for healthy entertaining was a lot more useful right now. I hope you enjoy!! Next on the list...mulled wine!