Pear, Thyme, and Blue Cheese Tart

Fall is here and pears are out in abundance. So, when I was invited to a dinner party and asked to bring an appetizer, I came up with this. I avoid working with phyllo at all costs. It's messy, it's cumbersome, and it's just annoying. Puff pastry, however, is incredibly easy and looks so impressive when it comes out of the oven. All of the credit with none of the work. Try it!

1 sheet of puff pastry, thawed (usually a pack comes with two or three sheets)
4 pears, cored and sliced
1/2 cup blue cheese, softened to room temperature
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. On a floured surface, roll the puff pastry out to 15 by 10 inches. Use a ruler to cut straight lines with a paring knife. Carefully, using the paring knife, score the puff pastry an inch away from the edges making sure not to cut all the way through.

3. Smear the blue cheese within the border and arrange pears in overlapping design. Sprinkle thyme leaves over the pears.

4. Bake until pears are tender and edges are golden brown, 20 minutes or so.

Printable version here.