Charred Pear Sorbet with Goat Cheese "Snow"

Charred Pear Sorbet with Goat Cheese "Snow"
Charred Pear Sorbet with Goat Cheese "Snow"
Don't worry about getting too much color on your pears—they will gain more caramel flavor the darker they go. This unusual dessert is a play on flavors—savory alongside sweet—and textures.
  • Preparing Time: -
  • Total Time: -
  • Served Person: Makes 6 servings
Dessert Freeze/Chill Vegetarian Feta Pear Bon Appétit Kidney Friendly Pescatarian Wheat/Gluten-Free Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free Kosher
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • a spice mill
  • 2 large egg whites
  • 1/3 cup powdered sugar
  • 4 ounces fresh goat cheese, crumbled
  • 4 large bosc pears, unpeeled, halved
  • 4 juniper berries

Preparation Using an electric mixer on high speed, beat goat cheese and salt in a small bowl until creamy; gradually beat in 1/2 cup water. Transfer to a shallow baking dish, cover, and freeze for at least 6 hours. DO AHEAD: Ice can be made 1 week ahead. Keep frozen. Cook pears in a dry cast-iron skillet over medium heat, turning occasionally, until well charred and just softened, 15-20 minutes. Let cool. Core, coarsely chop, and transfer to a food processor; purée until smooth. Transfer purée to a medium bowl and freeze until completely solid, at least 6 hours. DO AHEAD: Pear sorbet can be made 1 week ahead. Keep frozen. Preheat oven to 170°F. Toast juniper berries in a small, dry skillet over medium heat, stirring often, until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Let cool. Finely grind in spice mill. Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat egg whites in a medium bowl until frothy. With motor running, gradually beat in powdered sugar. Increase speed to high; beat until stiff peaks form, 8-10 minutes. Fold in juniper. Spread meringue in a thin layer on a silicone baking mat or parchment paper-lined large baking sheet. Bake until meringue is completely hard and dry in the center, about 4 hours. Let cool, then break into large pieces. DO AHEAD: Meringue can be made 2 days ahead; store airtight at room temperature. Let pear sorbet sit at room temperature until soft enough to scoop, about 1 hour. Spoon sorbet onto plates and top with meringue pieces. Using a fork, scrape goat cheese until it forms powdery snow; sprinkle over meringue.

Preparation Using an electric mixer on high speed, beat goat cheese and salt in a small bowl until creamy; gradually beat in 1/2 cup water. Transfer to a shallow baking dish, cover, and freeze for at least 6 hours. DO AHEAD: Ice can be made 1 week ahead. Keep frozen. Cook pears in a dry cast-iron skillet over medium heat, turning occasionally, until well charred and just softened, 15-20 minutes. Let cool. Core, coarsely chop, and transfer to a food processor; purée until smooth. Transfer purée to a medium bowl and freeze until completely solid, at least 6 hours. DO AHEAD: Pear sorbet can be made 1 week ahead. Keep frozen. Preheat oven to 170°F. Toast juniper berries in a small, dry skillet over medium heat, stirring often, until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Let cool. Finely grind in spice mill. Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat egg whites in a medium bowl until frothy. With motor running, gradually beat in powdered sugar. Increase speed to high; beat until stiff peaks form, 8-10 minutes. Fold in juniper. Spread meringue in a thin layer on a silicone baking mat or parchment paper-lined large baking sheet. Bake until meringue is completely hard and dry in the center, about 4 hours. Let cool, then break into large pieces. DO AHEAD: Meringue can be made 2 days ahead; store airtight at room temperature. Let pear sorbet sit at room temperature until soft enough to scoop, about 1 hour. Spoon sorbet onto plates and top with meringue pieces. Using a fork, scrape goat cheese until it forms powdery snow; sprinkle over meringue.