Honeyed Blue Cheese Grapes Recipes

CHEESE/GRAPE APPETIZERS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 275°. Pulse almonds in a food processor until finely chopped (do not overprocess). Spread in a 15x10x1-in. pan; bake until golden brown, 6-9 minutes, stirring occasionally. Transfer to a shallow bowl; cool slightly., In another bowl, mix cream cheese, blue cheese, parsley and cream until blended. Insert a skewer into each grape. Roll grapes in cheese mixture, then in almonds; place on waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Refrigerate, covered, until serving.

GRAPES ROLLED IN BLUE CHEESE AND NUTS

Steps:

• Blend the blue cheese and the sour cream and place in a shallow bowl (if the blue cheese is either too thin or dry to stick to grapes, adjust sour cream and cheese amounts accordingly). In a mini-chop or food processor, coarsely chop nuts. Place nuts in a separate shallow bowl. Roll grapes in blue cheese mixture, then roll grapes in nuts. Serve with toothpicks.

WALNUT AND BLUE CHEESE GRAPES

Steps:

• Line a small baking sheet or baking dish with parchment paper. Set aside.
• In a food processor, blend together the cream cheese, blue cheese, and heavy cream until smooth. Transfer to a medium bowl. Add the grapes and stir until coated with the cheese mixture.
• In another small bowl, mix together the walnuts, sugar, and parsley.
• Using a fork, transfer the grapes, one at a time, to the walnut mixture and, using clean hands, gently roll in the mixture until coated. Place the grapes on the prepared baking sheet. Refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours and serve.
• Cook's Note: To toast the walnuts, arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 350 degrees F oven for 6 to 8 minutes until lightly toasted. Cool completely before using.

ROSEMARY FLATBREAD WITH BLUE CHEESE, GRAPES AND HONEY (FOCACCIA)

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk the yeast and sugar with 1/4 cup of the flour. Stir in 1/4 cup of the warm water and let stand until slightly foamy, about 5 minutes. Add the rosemary, fine salt, pepper and the remaining 1 3/4 cups of flour and 1/2 cup of water; stir until a dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead until smooth, about 5 minutes. Transfer the dough to an oiled bowl, cover and let rise in a draft-free spot until billowy and doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Place a pizza stone in the bottom of the oven, and preheat for at least 30 minutes.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface. Press and stretch the dough into a 13-inch round, then transfer to a piece of lightly floured parchment paper. Press the grapes into the dough and sprinkle with sea salt.
• Slide the flatbread with parchment onto the hot stone and bake for about 12 - 15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the grapes have begun to release some of their juices. Sprinkle the blue cheese on top and bake for about 2 minutes longer, until the cheese melts. Slide the flatbread onto a work surface and drizzle with the honey and sprinkle with the chives. Cut into wedges and serve.

BLUE CHEESE-WALNUT FILLING IN GRAPE CUPS

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, break up blue cheese with a fork until creamy; stir in walnuts and honey. To serve, spoon 1/2 teaspoon blue cheese-walnut filling into each grape cup.