BAKED CAMEMBERT WITH CARAMALISED CALVADOS PEARS AND SEARED PARMA HAM

BEST EATEN IN PRIVATE...

Another best eaten in private or with someone who is also a lover of gooey sumptuous cheese as once you start your not going to be able to stop until you've scraped the very last bit of gooey cheese from the box!  Rich hot creamy oozey Camembert served with butter seared caramelised pears wrapped in parma ham, pan seared again for a crispy finish to add another level of decadence for dipping and scooping in that cheese...

Prep Time 5 minutes / Searing Time 7 minutes / Remainder of Baking Time 13 mins 

(+ the 7 mins prep time, 20 mins in total)

Ingredients

(serves 1-3)

1 whole Camembert (wooden box stapled not glued)

1/2 garlic clove

2 sprigs of thyme

50ml dry white wine

2 ripe pears

4 slices parma ham

25g butter

20ml olive oil

50ml Calvados

Pre heat your oven to 180C / 356F.  Take your boxed Camembert and prick all over with a fork, slip in the garlic cloves randomly and spear in the sprigs of thyme, pour over the wine, pop the lid back on and place in the oven to bake for 20 minutes.

Meanwhile slice the pears in to quarters, pop your non stick frying pan on a medium to high heat and add the butter and olive oil, when hot add the pears and sear all sides until slightly caramelised add the calvados and reduce then remove the pears from the pan, wrap half the pear wedges in parma ham and return to the pan, sear each side for a minute or so until caramelised.  Remove and leave to rest while you wait for the Camembert to finish in the oven.

To serve place the Camembert in the centre of a large plate and arrange the pear wedges around the edge, then dive in and enjoy immediately while hot, gooey and gorgeous...