Goat Cheese Panini with Cooked Pears and Honey

I have a slight obsession with goat cheese. And pinterest. So when I saw this beautiful grilled goat cheese sandwich with figs and honey on pinterest a few days ago, I knew I had to recreate it. The sandwich was featured on Serious Eats website and is a Cooking Light recipe.

Goat Cheese Panini with Cooked Pears and Honey

The flavors of this sandwich remind me of the pear, walnut and goat cheese stuffed endives appetizer I made a while back. 

This is a simple sandwich to make and there are only a few ingredients.

Goat Cheese Panini with Cooked Pears and Honey

      makes 2 sandwiches

1 bosc pear

1 lemon

1-2 T water

Ground cinnamon

2 oz goat cheese

2 tsp pure honey

4 slices whole wheat bread

Cooking spray

Preheat a skillet to medium heat. Slice the pear very thin and place in the skillet. Squeeze juice from half of the lemon over the pear slices and liberally sprinkle with cinnamon. 

Add a tablespoon of water at a time and bring up to a low boil. Flip pears over and continue to cook, adding more cinnamon if desired. 

Cook until slightly tender and until the flesh of the pears are slightly browned. Remove from heat. 

Meanwhile, combine the goat cheese and honey in a small dish.

Mix them together.

Spread the goat cheese mixture on one slice of bread and top with half of the cooked pears. 

Put second slice of bread on top and spray with cook spray. Repeat with second sandwich. Once loaded up, place the sandwiches on the panini maker or in a heated skillet. 

Cook  for about 5 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown. 

The cinnamon and lemon juice give the pears such a wonderful flavor and tang of the goat cheese is so delicious with this sweet sandwich.

For another grilled sandwich idea, try this grilled peanut butter and honey sandwich.