Mariel here. I’ve always been an insatiable fruit fiend. My father is very much the same way so I suspect I picked up this trait from him, but even as a tot, I’d reach for a real plum over a sugar plum – a party trick that must’ve made my parents just brim with pride.
Over the years my sweet tooth has “matured” to include sophisticated confections like Skittles and Sour Patch Kids, but there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t fill up on fruit when I’m craving something sugary….which brings me to this month’s post for Secret Recipe Club.
I was assigned The Avid Appetite, a delightful blog that chronicles the life of a self-taught home cook who “three years ago, couldn’t boil water.” I identified immediately with her story line, since three years ago, my mother and I launched Feast in part as a way to help me learn the family trade: food.
While there were a number of Avid Appetite‘s recipes that caught my eye, the brilliant simplicity of this Roasted Grape nibble immediately drew me in, particularly since I’ve eaten grapes many different ways over the years – peeled, frozen, tucked in salads, pureed – but never roasted.
This recipe is as easy as it is delicious. While I opted to use phyllo instead of tortilla chips and blue cheese instead of goat – since it’s natural saltiness deftly off-sets the sweetness of the roasted grapes – this is a bird of a very similar feather. And although these would work perfectly as passed hors d’oeuvres, I’d also ask you to consider dishing them up as dessert – a sophisticated Euro-style dessert that’ll peacock your worldliness to all your nearest and dearest. Just like you always wanted. Enjoy!

Roasted Grape & Blue Cheese Bites
Makes about 24 bites
Adapted from The Avid Appetite
Ingredients:
Phyllo cups/shells, thawed and baked according to package instructions – $3.19
2 cups red seedless grapes – $2.99
Pinch of sea salt – stock
1 teaspoon olive oil – stock
4 ounces of blue cheese – $2.25
1 Tablespoon honey – stock
Grand total assuming “well-stocked” kitchen: $8.43
Cost per cup: $0.35
Directions:
1. Bake the phyllo cups according to package instructions (you’ll find these in your grocer’s frozen foods sections). Set aside.
2. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil.
3. Toss the grapes with olive oil and a little pinch of sea salt and roast for 15-20 minutes, or until tender and fragrant. A few will pop.
4. In the meantime, portion out the blue cheese into the baked phyllo cups.
5. When the grapes are finished roasting, reduce oven temp to 350 degrees and add a few grapes to each phyllo cup. Top with a little drizzle of honey and bake for an additional 3-4 minutes. Serve warm.
These are a great idea! I’m not a huge blue cheese fan but I bet all sorts of cheeses would work well, maybe some brie?
Definitely! The original called for goat cheese…I just happen to LOVE blue
These are SO beautiful! So glad you picked this recipe, it’s one of my favorites! And your photo is just stunning. So happy to be in SRC with you!
I have been yearning to roast grapes for sometime now…looks like I have just the recipe for it! Look sooooo yummy!
I just love these! What a great choice for SRC. I am adding these to our appetizer menu for an upcoming party.
Yum, these are perfect nibbles! I love blue cheese, and the phyllo makes it pretty healthy as well. Great choice!
How delicious! These are the perfect dessert!
I love this recipe – perfect for entertaining and the roasting of grapes -I’m definitely intrigued!
What a great appetizer–sounds quite intriguing 🙂
Love this flavor combination! And roasting grapes? Who would have thunk it?
What a treat, I bet the roasting made the grapes super sweet.
Your picture looks amazing! YUM!
If you haven’t had a chance come check out my SRC recipe! http://momscrazycooking.blogspot.com/2012/06/german-chocolate-cracker-candy-secret.html
What wonderful flavor combinations!! We will give these little morsels a try…. Yummy SRC choice.
Roasting grapes brings out the flavor. You picked a great recipe for SRC.
What a unique dish!! I think I would love to try this with goat cheese (never been a fan of blue cheese)! Great choice for SRC! 🙂
How elegant!
What a yummy looking little bite. I love blue cheese. Perfect SRC pick.
I love this combo of flavors and textures…I’m thinking a mild creamy blue is a great option here, but I confess that I do adore goat cheese! Glad to be in Group C with you…great selection!
I’ve been wanting to try roasted grapes and what a gorgeous little way to try them. Great looking recipe.
If you haven’t already, I’d love for you to check out my group “A” SRC entry: Candied Popcorn.
Lisa~~
Cook Lisa Cook
What an inventive little bite! Will have to try these. I like your phyllo cup swap and am thinking brie cheese might be nice. Though I love goat cheese and blue too.
I can’t believe how good this must be! Love the honey/bleu cheese/grape combination!
Now that is one inventive recipe! I’ve never had roasted grapes, but I’m giving it a try.
Don’t those look nice! Great pick for SRC!
what a great combination! Must try this