The Garden & Saucier
Spicy Pepper Chutney on Pear and Gruyere Toasts
The Strategy:
Roasting and peeling the peppers yields a sweet, smoky base for a chutney simmered with cinnamon, bay leaves, and brown sugar. Broiling slices of bread topped with this sweet-and-spicy chutney, fresh pear slices, and rich Gruyere cheese creates a sensational contrast of flavors and textures. Serve these toasts warm and bubbly straight from the oven for a sophisticated start to any meal.
Ingredients
Chutney
- 4 large red bell peppers
- 2 orange Anaheim peppers (substitute with 4 medium jalapeno peppers)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large red onion, thinly sliced, about 1 ½ cup
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 3 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon Dijon-style mustard
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 cup homemade chicken stock or prepared low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon coarse black pepper
Toasts
Instructions
Toasts
- Roast the peppers on an outdoor grill, stove top or broiler, turning until blistered.
- Transfer the peppers to a bowl.
- Cover with plastic wrap for 20 minutes.
- Pull off the charred skin (use a cloth or paper towel for this) and remove the stems and seeds.
- Chop the peppers.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the onion and cook until soft, about 10 minutes.
- Add the chopped peppers, brown sugar, cinnamon stick, bay leaves, mustard, paprika, and chicken stock.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the chutney becomes syrupy, about 30 minutes.
- Remove the bay leaves and cinnamon stick. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
- Remove the skillet from the heat.
- Preheat the oven to 475° and position a rack a few inches away from the heating element.
- Place the bread slices onto a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Toast the bread until golden on one side, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven.
- Turn up the oven to the broil setting.
- Flip the bread and slather a spoonful of chutney on the untoasted side. Fan pear slices over the chutney.
- Mound the cheese over the top.
- Return the baking sheet to the oven and broil until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Cut each toast into diagonal pieces and serve warm.
The Heart of the Table
These toasts offer a beautiful harmony of sweet fruit, melted cheese, and warm spices, bringing an elegant warmth to the table. Each bite feels special, encouraging guests to slow down and appreciate the thoughtful layers of flavor as they share an evening together.
The Art of the Host
- a heavy-duty die-cast aluminum lemon squeezer with an enamel finish
- a hand-cut glass mixing pitcher with a diamond-cut pattern
- a sleek, solid brass Japanese double jigger with inner measurement lines
- a platinum-grade non-stick silicone baking mat for consistent heat conduction
- a professional-grade forged high-carbon steel carving knife
- a large, hand-thrown ceramic serving platter with an organic rim
Neighborly Grace
- THE PRESENTATION: Arrange the warm toasts diagonally on a dark slate platter, garnished with a few fresh thyme sprigs to highlight the savory cheese.
- THE POUR: An off-dry Chenin Blanc or a warm pear cider spiced with cloves and a touch of orange peel.
- THE VIBE: Evening Dining Room. Flickering candles cast a soft glow over the table as guests enjoy the warm, savory-sweet toasts before dinner.