Grapes
By Cat, Nov 2007 (Photo, right, from Wikimedia Commons; cheese photo below from Wikimedia Commons)
See also: 1. Appetizer & Snacks Menu
Back in the days when I used to entertain guests for dinner or a holiday party, I could have used this simple recipe as appetizer or dessert.
At one time I avoided grapes because of the simple sugars (glucose, fructose); but I have since learned that they are rich in anti-oxidants, and when eaten as a whole food (not juiced), their sugars are not quickly absorbed (they have a low-glycemic index), and they help improve insulin sensitivity. When combined with a good source of fat and protein, as in cheese, they are extremely healthful. See World’s Healthiest Foods (1) for lots more information on their health benefits.
Baked Cheese with Grapes & Nuts
This recipe is from the Daily InterLake newspaper. As an appetizer, it serves 8 (217 calories each).
Ingredients & Equipment:
-
Goat Cheese
8 oz goat cheese log, such as Montrachet
- 2 Tbsp unbleached white flour (or tapioca flour if you are avoiding gluten)
- ½ tsp dried basil, crushed
- 3 Tbsp melted butter
- ⅔ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (preferably soaked, dried and chopped)
- 1 pound seedless grapes
- Equipment: baking sheet
- bakers’ parchment
Method
- Slice cheese into eight ½-inch thick rounds. Combine flour/starch and basil, and dredge cheese slices.
- Dip into melted butter and coat with chopped nuts. Press nuts lightly into cheese.
- Line baking sheet with bakers’ parchment. Place cheese on baking sheet and chill 1 hour (if baking sheet is not non-stick, use parchment paper.
- Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400°F, then bake cheese rounds 6 – 8 minutes, until nuts are crisp and cheese is warm.
- Wash and dry grapes. Slice each in half, and serve each slice of cheese with 6 – 8 grapes.
References
- Worlds Healthiest Foods on grapes (whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=40)
- Daily InterLake newspaper recipe, 2007
