Toasted Baguette Appetizers with Roasted Grapes and Tomatoes

A friend brought roasted grapes to a dinner party and I did not believe they would work until I tasted one. The skins burst, the insides go jammy and concentrated, and paired with a sharp blue cheese on crispy bread, they taste like something a restaurant would charge fifteen dollars for. This recipe roasts the grapes alongside cherry tomatoes, then piles them on baguette crisps spread with a whipped blue cheese and cream cheese mixture.

The baguette crisps get brushed with thyme butter before baking, herb-scented and golden. I make the cheese spread and the crisps ahead, then roast the grapes and tomatoes right before guests arrive. Assembly takes two minutes. The warm fruit against the cold, sharp Gorgonzola is what makes people reach for a second one before finishing the first.

How to Make Toasted Baguette Appetizers

Make the Thyme Butter Crisps

Slice the baguette into 1cm (1/2 inch) rounds. Mix softened butter with chopped fresh thyme, salt, and pepper. Spread on one side of each slice. Bake at 180C (350F) until golden and crisp, about 10 minutes. Let them cool. They should snap, not bend.

Roast the Grapes and Tomatoes Together

Spread grapes and cherry tomatoes on a baking sheet. A drizzle of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast at 200C (400F) for 20-25 minutes until the skins split and the juices pool. They reduce in size and the flavours concentrate. Let them cool slightly before spooning onto the crisps.

Spread, Then Top

Beat the blue cheese and cream cheese together until smooth. Spread generously on each crisp. Spoon warm roasted grapes and tomatoes on top. The warm fruit softens the cheese slightly at the edges. Serve within 10 minutes or the crisps lose their crunch.

Toasted Baguette Appetizers with Roasted Grapes and Tomatoes

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• Author: Taylor Mathis and Sally James
• Total Time: 60 minutes
• Yield: Serves 12 1x
• Diet: Omnivore

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Description

Crispy baguette slices topped with creamy blue cheese, roasted grapes, or tomatoes. Perfect for game day!

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Ingredients

Units USM

• 1 loaf french bread
• 8 tbsp unsalted butter (113 g) unsalted butter
• 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp coarse ground black pepper
• 4 oz (113 g) blue cheese crumbles
• 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese
• 1 tbsp heavy cream
• 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp pepper
• 3 cups (710 ml) red seedless grapes
• 2 tbsp chopped sweet yellow onions
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1/8 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup (237 ml) toasted chopped walnuts
• 3 cups (710 ml) halved grape tomatoes
• 1/8 tsp thyme
• 8-10 strips of bacon

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Instructions

1. Crisps
2. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C).
3. Slice french bread into 1/2 inch thick slices.
4. In a small bowl, combine butter, thyme, salt, and pepper; stir until blended.
5. Spread butter mixture on one side of each bread slice; place butter-side up on a baking sheet.
6. Bake for 20 minutes.
7. Remove from oven and let cool on baking sheet.
8. Store covered for up to three days.
9. Creamy Blue Cheese Spread
10. In a small bowl, combine blue cheese, cream cheese, heavy cream, vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper; stir until blended.
11. Spread a thin layer of blue cheese spread on each crisp.
12. Top with roasted grapes and/or roasted grape tomatoes.
13. Serve.
14. Roasted Red Grapes
15. Preheat oven to 425°F (218°C).
16. In a medium bowl, combine grapes, onions, oil, salt, and pepper; stir until grapes are coated.
17. Spread grapes on a baking sheet.
18. Bake for 20 minutes, stirring after 10 minutes.
19. Remove from oven and let cool.
20. Top crisps with grapes.
21. Add walnuts if desired.
22. Serve.
23. Roasted Grape Tomatoes
24. Preheat oven to 425°F (218°C).
25. In a medium bowl, combine tomatoes, onions, oil, salt, pepper, and thyme; stir until tomatoes are coated.
26. Spread tomatoes on a baking sheet.
27. Bake for 20 minutes, stirring after 10 minutes.
28. Remove from oven and let cool.
29. Top crisps with tomatoes and bacon.
30. Serve.

Notes

• For easier spreading, slightly soften the cream cheese and blue cheese before mixing.
• Toasting the baguette slices longer will result in crispier bites; adjust baking time as needed.
• Substitute goat cheese for blue cheese for a tangier flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: French-Inspired

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2 slices
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 5
• Sodium: 300
• Fat: 18
• Saturated Fat: 10
• Unsaturated Fat: 5
• Carbohydrates: 20
• Fiber: 2
• Protein: 5
• Cholesterol: 20

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