Whipped Feta and Balsamic Roasted Grapes

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Merry Christmas! I hope Santa was extra good to you this year and that you found exactly what you were hoping for under the tree. Now it’s time to enjoy it all. To relax with your family and friends, or maybe just sneak an extra cookie and fall asleep with a good book in your lap. After all the dashing to and fro, it’s good to have a little respite. And it’s good to have some quiet. 

I’m a big fan of the time between Christmas and New Years. It gives you a little more time to take in all the things you didn’t get around to before the holiday. Go see the tree in Esther Short Park, take a drive and look at the lights, or bundle up and get out for a walk. Just be sure to soak it all in, because 2024 is winding quickly down. 

Whether you’re gathering with some friends, or planning for New Year’s, here’s a delicious appetizer you can make with very little effort – because if you feel at all like I do, you’re probably pretty tired. Made from just a few ingredients, this Whipped Feta and Balsamic Roasted Grapes is just right for right now. Lovely to look at and even better to eat, you’ll be wanting to make this easy appetizer on repeat. 

For the roasted grapes, you’ll combine a generous 2 cups of red grapes with both balsamic vinegar and balsamic glaze, and some olive oil. I added several sprigs of fresh rosemary to the grapes before roasting them (because it’s Christmas), then transferred everything to a baking dish. Roast in a 375 degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the grapes roast nicely and some of them have split. For my oven, this was 22 minutes.

While the grapes roast, make your whipped feta. This is so easy you can almost do it while you’re taking that nap. Combine crumbled feta, cream cheese, and the zest and juice from one lemon in a food processor. If you have one of the small, mini-prep ones it will work perfectly for this. Once your feta is smooth, it will look fluffy, like heavy whipped cream. Spread it onto a serving plate and top it with those delectably roasted grapes. Be prepared to be wowed.  

The whipped feta is creamy and citrusy, salty and bright. The grapes are juicy and jammy, richly caramelized and sweet. Balanced atop a crunchy crostini, it’s a perfect little bite, and it’s delicious!

Golden, toasted crostini are a perfect base for party appetizers. They’re easy to make in the oven and they can be a fun light meal, depending on what you serve them with. Make some festive little toasts to serve with your appetizers and get ready to celebrate. 

Cheers to the New Year and enjoying these last few days of 2024!

Whipped Feta and Balsamic Roasted Grapes

Balsamic Grapes:

• 2 heaping cups red grapes
• 2 Tablespoons balsamic glaze
• 2 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar

Whipped Feta:

• 1  8-ounce block feta
• 4 ounces cream cheese
• 1 lemon, zested plus 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• chopped fresh parsley, for sprinkling (or fresh rosemary)

Crostini, for serving (recipe follows)

For balsamic grapes: Preheat oven to 375º F. Toss the grapes with the balsamic glaze, olive oil and vinegar in a baking dish. Bake until grapes are split and nicely roasted, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from oven; toss, and set aside to cool slightly.

For whipped feta: Crumble feta into a food processor, then add cream cheese, lemon zest and lemon juice. Process until smooth.

Spread whipped feta into a circle on a platter, then top with balsamic grapes. Sprinkle with parsley and serve with crostini on the side.

-Ree Drummond, foodnetwork.com

Crostini

• 1 baguette (crusty French bread)
• 2 to 3 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, as needed
• flaky sea salt, or fine salt, to taste 

Preheat oven to 450º F. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper for easy clean-up, if desired. Slice baguette on the diagonal into pieces no wider than ½-inch. Lightly brush both sides of each slice with olive oil (you will need about 2 to 3 tablespoons oil).

Place bread slices in a single layer on prepared baking sheet and bake on the middle rack for 6 to 9 minutes, until crisp and nicely golden. Sprinkle toasts lightly with salt. Transfer toasts to a serving platter. 

-cookieandkate.com