Cheesegrape Appetizers Recipes

ELEGANT CHEESE GRAPE CLUSTER

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Place almonds in single layer in shallow baking pan with sides. Bake at 350°F. for 8 to 12 minutes or until golden brown, stirring once. Remove from pan; cool about 5 minutes. Finely chop almonds.
• In medium bowl, combine cream cheese, Gorgonzola cheese and chives; mix well. Wrap about 1 teaspoon cheese mixture around each grape to cover; roll in chopped almonds. Place in single layer in 13x9-inch pan. Cover; refrigerate at least 1 hour or up to 8 hours before serving.
• To serve, if desired, arrange on serving platter in shape of grape cluster; garnish with parsley or grape leaves.

BLUE CHEESE GRAPES APPETIZER

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Place nuts, each kind separate, on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake, stirring once or twice, 8-10 minutes until lightly toasted. Let cool.
• In a food processor, pulse one kind of nut at a time, until just finely chopped (don't overprocess). Place in separate bowls.
• Remove blade; wipe processor bowl clean. Add cheeses; process until blended and smooth. Scrape into a medium bowl.
• Line rimmed baking sheet with wax paper. Gently fold grapes into cheese mixture. Remove 1 coated grape at a time with a spoon, then push grape gently into one of the bowls of chopped nuts. Shake bowl to turn grape until coated. Place on lined baking sheet.
• To serve: Arrange grapes on a leaf-lined plate to resemble a bunch of grapes.

CHEESE WRAPPED GRAPES

Steps:

• 1. Remove grapes from stems and wash them well. Lay the grapes out on paper towels to drain and dry. Pat dry any excess with a paper towel.
• 2. In a bowl with electric mixer, mix the cream cheese and blue cheese together until well combined.
• 3. Place the ground nuts in a pie plate or a deep bowl. Take a small amount of the cheese mixture;about 1 measuring Tbsp. or less and wrap this mixture around one of the grapes. Try to make the coating of cheese an even thickness all around the grape. Roll the grape in the nuts to evenly coat the cheese-ball and arrange on a tray.
• 4. I usually put them on a round tray and leave the center open to put a bunch of washed grapes on the stem in the center for decoration and snacking.
• 5. Cover the tray and put the entire tray in the refrigerator to chill. Remove from refrigerator about 20 minutes before serving.