What you need to try next: Roasted Grapes with Ricotta

Why it belongs on your menu:

People love to try something new. Don’t we all? I remember the first time I came across a recipe for slow roasted champagne grape tart from a well-known bakery in Seattle called Macrina. It sounded so different, yet delicious, I had to try it. And it did not disappoint. Making a tart is a great way to go but I wanted to take the same concept and make it easier for a dinner party menu as an appetizer that is a do-ahead step and easy to pull together. These slow roasted grape crostini paired with ricotta hits the mark – simple and unforgettable. Remember, a dinner party is as much about the experience you create as it is about the food itself. Try this recipe and get everyone talking about slow roasted grapes and remembering the first time they tried it with you!

Why slow roast?

The flavors in this dish are very subtle and it’s the slow roasting process that not only intensifies the flavor of the grapes but also melds them together so beautifully with the other ingredients to give the overall dish balance. If you cook the grapes on high heat, they are just going to burst and break down in the pan. You’ll have a mess. If you cook for too long, they turn to raisins. The low and slow method for a little over and hour achieves just the right consistency so you can still tell you are eating grapes, but with more interesting flavors going on.

Of course, it’s the cooking liquids that lends the flavors to the grapes. The liquids slowly absorb into the grapes during the roasting process to create little flavor bombs. Honey, honey whiskey, lemon and salt add notes of sweet, smokey (from the whiskey) and the necessary acidity to hit every part of your tongue and create that ‘Mm mm…..’ effect you want to hear when your guests dive in for their first bite. And just that little touch of thyme adds a nice herbaceous note to the dish and makes a beautiful garnish for the platter.

Best of all, the ingredients for this recipe are pretty easy to come by, which makes it a no-brainer for your next dinner party or girls’ night.

Recipe Ingredients:

• 3 cups seedless red grapes, cut in half (approximately 1 lb)
• 6 Tablespoons honey whiskey (Jack Daniel’s Tennessee honey), 1- 50ml mini bottle
• 2 Tablespoon honey, plus drizzle for garnish
• 4 teaspoons lemon zest, plus more for garnish
• 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 8 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1 ½ cups fresh (good quality) Ricotta cheese
• Sprinkle Maldon flakey sea salt
• Crostini or fresh bread

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 275 and line a sheet pan with parchment paper. In medium sauce pan over medium low heat add the honey, honey whiskey, lemon zest and juice, salt and whisk together.  Just long enough for the honey to melt a little and get the mixture to combine. Add the grapes and let them soak up some of the liquid, gently mixing with a rubber spatula to combine.
2. Place the grapes on the baking sheet in an even layer and pour all the juices from the bowl over the grapes, it will absorb as it bakes.  Remove the thyme from the sprigs and scatter evenly over the tops of the grapes.  Roast for 1 hour and 15 minutes.   Remove and let cool on the parchment on a cooling rack.  Refrigerate until ready to use and then bring to room temperature.
3. Spread a heaping teaspoon of fresh ricotta on each slice of crostini then top with 1 teaspoon of roasted grapes.  Assemble all the crostini and then sprinkle a tiny bit of finishing salt across the tops, garnish with lemon zest and then a drizzle of honey. 

Presentation:

I like to add a few sprigs of fresh thyme to the platter around the crostini and then drizzle a little extra honey and lemon zest around the platter as well. Lemons slices would work well also. It’s a simple dish so there isn’t much needed but here’s a few ideas for different serving platters that would set off the colors and add to the overall ‘wow’ factor of the dish.

For Simple Elegance

A white oblong platter with a rustic design is always a good way to go. This kind of platter is so versatile. I like this one by Anthropologie.

Formal Occasion

For a more formal gathering I love to present crostini on a tiered tray like this gorgeous one that has some intricate detail

Casual and Cool – Charcuterie Board

This mango wood cheese and charcuterie board is perfect for presenting crostini and even adding a few other small bites items to it.

For Outdoor Dining

I love the rustic-chic look of these platters made from high quality melamine. They won’t break and can transfer in a picnic basket easily. Wine country written all over it.

Note: If you purchase an item from my affiliates, I receive a small compensation in return.

What to Serve with It:

Here’s a few ideas on what else to put on the menu with these delectable little roasted grape and ricotta crostini. Remember the grapes are slow roasted ahead of time so all you have to do is assemble and serve, leaving more time to focus the rest of the menu and having a good time!

Tomato Soup Shots with Marinated Mozzarella Sandwich Wedges

Blackened Shrimp with Creamy Polenta