It’s wine o’clock - wine and cheese anyone?! I present to you my Wine & Cheese Crostini recipe - the appetizer that is the epitome of everything you’ve come to love about this beautiful pairing. This single bite wonder is made with crispy crostini, honey and thyme whipped feta and is adorned with the crown jewel - sautéed and caramelized grapes.
If you're looking for a satisfying and simple appetizer that comes together in under 30 minutes, couldn’t be easier to whip up and is too gorgeous to eat - then, you’ve come to the right place! Serve it at your next dinner party or social gathering, date night or simply enjoy it as a snack. This appetizer has no bounds and does not disappoint! Grab a glass of wine, a spoon and come and cook with me!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Serves: 6 - 8
Ingredients:
Crostini
1 French baguette, cut into 1/2 inch slices
3 Tbsp olive oil
Red Grapes
2 1/2 cups red seedless grapes, stems removed
1 1/2 Tbsp olive oil
1/4 tsp coarse salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
1/2 tsp red wine vinegar
1/2 tsp honey
Fresh thyme leaves, as garnish
Honey & Thyme Whipped Feta
1 cup Feta cheese
3 Tbsp sour cream
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp fresh thyme leaves, finely chopped
1 tsp honey
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 400F and line a 11” x 17” rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
Making the Honey & Thyme Whipped Feta: To a food processor, add the feta, sour cream, lemon juice, thyme, honey, garlic powder and pepper. Pulse or process it for 30 seconds or until the mixture is silky and smooth. Set aside.
Toasting the Crostini: Lay your bread slices in a single layer on the baking sheet and drizzle or brush them with oil. Bake the crostini for 10 minutes, then carefully flip them, and bake them for an additional 5 minutes. Your crostini is ready when it is golden brown in colour and toasty and crispy.
Cooking the Grapes: While the crostini are cooking, to a large skillet set over medium - low heat, add the grapes, oil, salt and pepper and sauté for 8 minutes. Then, add the vinegar and honey and cook for another 4 minutes or until some of the grapes have started to break down.
Remove the crostini from the oven and let them slightly cool.
Assembling the Appetizer: Transfer the crostinis to a plate or serving platter and, just before serving, top each of the crostinis with a generous spoonful of the whipped feta. Using a spatula or knife, smooth the whipped feta over the crostini. Top with a heaping spoonful of sautéed grapes and garnish with fresh thyme leaves. Serve and enjoy!
Notes:
Whipping the Feta - Whip it Good: I like using a food processor for this task but you can do it by hand using a fork or a potato masher. A handheld mixer or an immersion blender also get the job done.
Make Ahead: The whipped feta can be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator until ready for use.