Go Back

Pressed Stilton, Pear, Date, and Bacon Sandwiches Recipe

This recipe creates a sophisticated pressed sandwich, combining the pungent creaminess of Stilton cheese with crispy bacon, sweet dates, and fresh Asian pear, all spread with Dijon mustard on a toasted baguette. It's a delightful balance of savory, sweet, and tangy flavors with varied textures.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: lunch/dinner
Cuisine: asian
Calories: 2737.2
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 8 slices thick cut bacon coarsely chopped
  • 4 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 12 Medjool dates
  • 1 Asian pear scrubbed, cored, and sliced into 20 wedges
  • 8 ounces Stilton or other blue cheese
  • 4 6-inch pieces baguette, split in half lengthwise

Equipment

  • 1 Large Skillet or Frying Pan For cooking bacon and pressing sandwiches.
  • 1 Chef's Knife
  • 1 Cutting Board
  • 1 Panini Press or Second Heavy Skillet For pressing the sandwiches.
  • 1 Small Spatula or Butter Knife For spreading mustard.

Method
 

  1. Coarsely chop the thick-cut bacon and cook in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy. Drain on paper towels, reserving a small amount of rendered fat if desired for toasting.
  2. While bacon cooks, pit and coarsely chop the Medjool dates.
  3. Scrub, core, and slice the Asian pear into approximately 20 thin wedges.
  4. Crumble or thinly slice the 8 ounces of Stilton cheese.
  5. Split the four 6-inch pieces of baguette in half lengthwise.
  6. Spread 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard evenly on the bottom half of each baguette.
  7. Layer the cooked bacon, chopped dates, pear wedges, and Stilton cheese evenly onto the mustard-spread baguette halves.
  8. Place the top half of each baguette on the assembled ingredients.
  9. Preheat a panini press or a large, heavy skillet over medium heat. If using a skillet, you might add a touch of the reserved bacon fat or a little butter.
  10. Place the sandwiches in the panini press or skillet, pressing down firmly with the top of the panini press or with a second heavy skillet/weight. Cook for 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the baguette is golden brown and crispy. Serve immediately.

Notes

This sandwich harmoniously blends intense flavors and textures. Ensure bacon is crispy but not burnt for optimal contrast with the creamy Stilton and sweet dates. Asian pears offer a firm, juicy crunch; a slightly underripe Bosc or Anjou pear could be a substitute if Asian pears are unavailable. For a less pungent sandwich, a milder blue cheese like Gorgonzola dolce can be used instead of Stilton. Pressing is key: it melts the cheese, melds the flavors, and crisps the baguette. If a panini press isn't available, use a heavy skillet with another weighted pan on top. Serve immediately for best texture.