There is a joyous interplay of tastes and textures in this very easy dessert. The idea is to eat a slice of pear with a slice of cheese on a piece of wheat cracker with a nibble of walnut. Serve a glass of your favorite port alongside to heighten the experience.

Makes 4 servings

ACTIVE TIME: 10 minutes

TOTAL TIME: 10 minutes

EASE OF PREPARATION: Easy

4 ounces Italian fontina cheese
4 ripe Comice or Red Bartlett pears
Walnuts
Whole-wheat crackers

Thinly slice fontina. Set a pear, a few slices of cheese and a few walnuts on each of 4 dessert plates. Pass crackers separately and serve a glass of port alongside, if desired.

NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 308 calories; 17 g fat (5 g sat, 1 g mono); 25 mg cholesterol; 34 g carbohydrate; 10 g protein; 6 g fiber; 219 mg sodium; 299 mg potassium.

Nutrition bonus: Calcium (30% daily value), Fiber (24% dv).

2 Carbohydrate Servings