These irresistible Roasted Grape Crostini combine balsamic-roasted grapes with whipped goat cheese, pine nuts, and a drizzle of honey for an easy and delicious appetizer.Recipe adapted from "Ricotta and Roasted Grape Crostini," Athena Calderone (Food and Wine Magazine, December 2014)
1poundseedless black and/or red grapes, removed from stems and washed
2tablespoonsextra virgin olive oil
1tablespoonbalsamic vinegar
1sprigfresh rosemary
sea salt and freshly-ground pepper
To make the whipped goat cheese
6ouncesgoat cheese(about 1 cup crumbled)
3-4tablespoonsheavy cream
sea salt
To assemble the crostini
12slicesbaguette, ½-inch thick
2tablespoonsextra virgin olive oil
3tablespoonspine nuts
1tablespoonhoney
1tablespoonchopped fresh rosemary
sea salt and freshly-ground pepper
Instructions
Roast the grapes
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F with rack in middle position. On baking sheet (lined with parchment, for easy cleanup, if desired), or in a square baking dish, toss grapes, extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and rosemary. Season with a generous pinch of sea salt and a few grinds of black pepper.
Roast, 20-30 minutes (depending on grape size), until grapes are soft but still intact, skins split and pucker, and juices begin to release. Shake pan a few times during roasting to turn grapes. Remove from oven and transfer grapes and any accumulated juices to a bowl and let stand until just warmer than room temperature.
Make the whipped goat cheese
In a small food processor, or in a bowl with a hand mixer, whip goat cheese, heavy cream, and a pinch of sea salt until smooth and spreadable. (Amount of heavy cream will depend on the moisture of the goat cheese you use.)
Assemble the crostini
Place baguette slices on a baking sheet and brush tops with extra virgin olive oil. Bake in a 400 degree F oven for 6-8 minutes, until lightly toasted. Set aside to cool.
On another small baking sheet, toast pine nuts 6 minutes, until light golden brown. Set aside.
Top each cooled baguette slice with a dollop of whipped goat cheese, roasted grapes (and juices) and pine nuts. Lightly sprinkle with sea salt and chopped rosemary. Finish each crostini with a light drizzling of honey. Serve.
Notes
These crostini pair well with a variety of wines and cocktails, including traditional New Year's Champagne. For easy entertaining, each component can be made a day or two in advance of serving. Store toasted baguette slices in an airtight bag at room temperature, and refrigerate the roasted grapes and whipped goat cheese. For best results, lightly rewarm the grapes and allow the goat cheese to soften before serving.