Crostini with Pear, Parmesan, and Caramelized Shallots

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil , divided, or to taste
• 2 large shallots , chopped, or more to taste
• 1 firm Bartlett pear , chopped, or more to taste
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 1 baguette
• 1 clove garlic , halved
• 5 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. 1

   Heat butter and 1 teaspoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat; stir in shallots. Cook and stir until golden brown, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and let cool, 20 to 25 minutes.

2. 2

   Combine pears, 1 teaspoon olive oil, thyme, salt, and pepper with the shallots; stir until evenly mixed. Cover and refrigerate shallot mixture for about 2 hours.

3. 3

   Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).

4. 4

   Slice baguette into rounds. Rub with garlic and brush with 1 teaspoon olive oil. Place on a baking sheet.

5. 5

   Toast in the preheated oven until golden, 8 to 10 minutes.

6. 6

   Top baguette rounds with shallot mixture and Parmesan cheese.

7. 7

   Turn oven's broiler on. Return crostini to oven and broil until golden and bubbly, 1 to 2 minutes.