Toasted Pecan and English Stilton Napoleons

Toasted Pecan and English Stilton Napoleons

3 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature

2 oz. Stilton cheese, at room temperature

2 t. port

1/2 t. honey

pinch of cracked black pepper

2 T. chopped fresh chives, for garnishing

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the pecans on a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake until browned and aromatic, 7 to 10 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool.

Combine the cream cheese, Stilton, port, honey, and pepper in a food processor, process until smooth. Transfer to a sealable plastic bag and squeeze mixture into one corner.

To assemble: spread 24 pecan halves flat-side down on the sheet tray. Cut a small tip off the corner of the bag of cheese mixture. Pipe about 1/4 teaspoon of the cheese mixture evenly onto each pecan half. Top with a second pecan, flat-side down, and pipe about 1/4 teaspoon of the cheese mixture onto each napoleon. Sprinkle with chopped chives to garnish.

Do ahead tips: the pecans can be toasted up to 3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container.

The Stilton mixture can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and refrigerated; bring it to room temperature before assembly. Assemble up to 3 hours in advance and let sit at room temperature.

Makes 48 napoleons.