Kevin's Hot Honey Poached Pear & Halloumi Bites

Diced Asian pear poached in a whole-spice simple syrup, piled onto seared halloumi planks, and finished with an "EZ Hot Honey" drizzle of chili garlic sauce and local raw honey.

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Ingredients

• •3 whole Asian pears, peeled and diced
• •8 oz halloumi cheese, sliced into planks
• •½ cup granulated sugar
• •1 cup water
• •2 sticks cinnamon sticks
• •2 pods star anise pods
• •1 tsp whole cloves
• •4 pods cardamom pods
• •1 tsp fennel seed
• •3 sprigs fresh thyme sprigs
• •2 tbsp chili garlic sauce
• •2 tbsp local raw honey
• •for pan avocado oil spray
• •1 tbsp fresh herbs, minced, for garnish

Steps

1. Spice pack: Tie the cinnamon sticks, star anise, whole cloves, cardamom pods, and fennel seed into a cheesecloth bundle to make a spice pack.
2. Sugar: Add the sugar and water to a saucepan to start a simple syrup.
3. Simmer with spice pack: Add the spice pack and fresh thyme to the syrup and bring to a simmer.
4. Dice pear: Peel and dice the Asian pears into small cubes.
5. Hot poach: Add the diced pear to the hot syrup along with the spice pack and let it poach.
6. EZ hot honey: While the pear poaches, spoon the chili garlic sauce into a small dish and drizzle in the local raw honey to make the "EZ Hot Honey."
7. Lite avo oil: Lightly spray a skillet with avocado oil and set over medium/high heat.
8. Slice halloumi: Slice the halloumi cheese into planks.
9. Med/high sear: Sear the halloumi planks in the hot skillet until golden-brown grill marks form on both sides.
10. Strain and cool: Strain the poached pear out of the syrup (discard the spice pack) and let the pear cool slightly.
11. Build: Plate the seared halloumi planks and pile the poached pear on top of each one.
12. Drizzle: Drizzle the EZ Hot Honey over each bite.
13. Garnish: Finish with a sprinkle of fresh minced herbs.
14. Enjoy: Serve immediately and enjoy.