Everything is better roasted. Including grapes. I saw this recipe for Roasted Grape Crostini from Authentic Suburban Gourmet. I love grapes, and whoever
first thought of roasting them was brilliant!
They turned out wonderful. Sweet, tangy, warm, salty and kind of smoky.
I made a few changes to the recipe. For starters, I used goat cheese instead of ricotta. Nothing against ricotta, it is nice, but I am very fond of goat cheese and we always have it in the fridge.
I also didn’t have any fresh thyme laying around, but I do have plenty of fresh basil........
Roasted Grape Crostini with Goat Cheese
Ingredients: (amounts depend on how much you want!)
Seedless purple grapes
Sourdough baguette or ciabatta bread
Olive oil
Ricotta cheese or goat cheese
Thyme or basil
Lemon zest
Salt
Directions:
Preheat oven to 450ºF. Spread grapes onto a sheet pan. Drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt. Toss all together gently with your hands. Place pan in the oven for 9 to 11 minutes or until grapes just begin to burst.
While grapes are roasting, heat a grill or grill pan to medium-high. Brush the bread with olive oil. Grill until lightly toasted. Tip: keep heat at medium and toast longer, to prevent burning.
Assemble the open-faced sandwiches: Spread cheese over bread. Top with roasted grapes. Add the lemon zest and sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves. Sprinkle with a bit of salt or fleur de sel.
Tip: Have the cheese at room temperature for easier spreading.
While grapes are roasting, heat a grill or grill pan to medium-high. Brush the bread with olive oil. Grill until lightly toasted. Tip: keep heat at medium and toast longer, to prevent burning.
Assemble the open-faced sandwiches: Spread cheese over bread. Top with roasted grapes. Add the lemon zest and sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves. Sprinkle with a bit of salt or fleur de sel.
Tip: Have the cheese at room temperature for easier spreading.
What a treat this would be if it were on a plate in front of me right now. Very clever!
ReplyDeleteIt's really not that much work Maureen, do try it, you won't be sorry!
DeleteInteresting... roasted grapes... I usually like mine fermented and then drink them... ;-)
ReplyDeleteI may have to try this. (Buzzed)
By all means Richard, I am with you! Please enjoy this Crostini with a glass of wine, perhaps a Zinfandel?
DeleteThis sounds very unique, not to mention exotic too!:) I've not heard of roasted grapes; as I like them fresh and juicy:P
ReplyDeleteHehe, but it sounds like a creative way to enjoy grapes too, especially when you have lots of them from the harvest, right?;)
Yes Christy, we have 3 old grape vines in the yard, the sweetest grapes I have ever tasted..... only problem, they have seeds! We still find ways of enjoying them!
DeleteThose look amazing and simple. I would have never thought of grapes for that but it makes a ton of sense.
ReplyDeleteThese are really easy appetizers and perfect with a glass of wine....AND if you have some extra roasted grapes, put them in the blender and serve over pork chops or chicken, amazing!
DeleteExcellent choice to use goat cheese! Looks delicious and makes a nice pairing with some bubbly.
ReplyDeleteCheers:)
J & C
Thanks! We really do love ricotta but this was a rare time we didn't have any.... really? Almost any kind of cheese would work, it's all about the roasted grapes!
DeleteThanks for stopping by my blog! We have a lot in common I see. Our men cook and we take the pictures ;) You're pictures are beautiful btw. I've been trying to work on that!
ReplyDeleteHi Laura, thank YOU! I am always working on better pictures.... that's the part I have fun with, but I have to admit, I am starting to like cooking too!
Deletethis sounds delicious! yum!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jenn!
DeleteThese are gorgeous! Also we wanted you to know that we love your blog and have you on our blog roll. We New Englanders are envious of your sunshine and fresh produce right about now!
ReplyDeleteHi Chris and Amy, thank you for your kind words! Yes, we are spoiled by sunshine and the farmers markets are thriving year round, very fortunate to be born and raised in San Diego....just wish our Chargers could get to the Super Bowl!
DeleteYour crostini does look amazing in those photos. I am a big fan of fruit + dairy, so this definitely gets a thumbs up from me. Also, the roasted grapes are probably amazing just by themselves-yum!
ReplyDeleteThank you Tina! I know, fruit and dairy... I even put it on my pizza!
DeleteHi Tiffany! These crostini look really nice! a perfect appetizer for a dinner with friends...I like it! I am a follower of your blog now...happy to share recipes with you!
ReplyDeleteOh, Tiffany! These look positively awesome. Funny, the fist time I saw something with cooked grapes it was not really appealing. Then I had a dish with roasted grapes and my goodness, absolutely fantastic. These will do just fine!
ReplyDeleteI know Kim, me too, I couldn't wrap my head around the idea of roasted grapes, but so glad I gave it a try!
DeleteI've never heard of roasted grapes but they sound delicious! And goat cheese...one of the things that I'm already missing about France! There's plenty of it to be had here in Bangkok, but it's all imported and super expensive. But it might be worth it to make this!
ReplyDeleteHi Ramya, I hope you can find a good/affordable source for your goat cheese in Thailand, I just couldn't live without it!
DeleteI've been wanting to roast grapes for a while now too. This looks fantastic!
ReplyDeleteI've never tried roasted grapes but this recipe sounds like a winner!
ReplyDeleteWhoa! Roasted Grapes?? YES YES YES and YES!! Miss Tiff, are you doing the SD Bloggers bake sale this year? Hope to see ya.
ReplyDeleteI love crostini. I love grapes. I am totally trying this!
ReplyDelete