Blue Cheese Grape Appetizer Recipe
User Reviews
4.9
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Prep Time
30 mins
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Additional Time
3 hrs
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Total Time
3 hrs 30 mins
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Servings
60 pieces
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Calories
28 kcal
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Course
Appetizer
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Cuisine
North American
Blue Cheese Grape Appetizer Recipe
Description
The Blue Cheese Grape Appetizer Recipe blends blue cheese softened with butter, brandy, and black pepper, seasoned with sea salt to taste. Portions are chilled until firm, then dipped in finely toasted, minced walnuts to create a crunchy exterior. Grapes are prepared by halving if large or trimming to create a flat surface if small, ensuring the appetizer sits well on a plate. Each cheese ball is skewered with a grape to serve.
The appetizer offers a combination of sharp and creamy cheese with the rich, nutty texture from walnuts and the fresh sweetness of grapes. This contrast delivers a well-rounded bite ideal for parties or casual gatherings. The preparation requires some chilling time but results in handheld, elegant finger food.
Careful chilling before rolling the cheese balls is important to prevent the cheese from becoming too soft to shape. Using fresh, firm grapes and properly toasted walnuts improves texture and flavor in the final dish.
Ingredients
Walnuts
- 1 teaspoon butter
- 1 cup walnuts
Blue Cheese Balls
- 7 ounces blue cheese at room temperature
- 2 tablespoons butter at room temperature
- 2 tablespoons brandy
- 2 teaspoons black pepper fresh ground
- salt to taste, sea salt
- 30-60 grapes see notes
Instructions
- In a medium-sized bowl mix the blue cheese, butter, brandy, and pepper. Taste and add salt as necessary. Scoop ½ teaspoon portions onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet then place them in the fridge until firm, at least 3 hours.
- Melt the butter in a small pan over medium-high heat. Add the walnuts and cook, tossing the pan frequently, until they're brown in spots, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from the heat and set them aside to cool. Finely mince once cool enough to handle.
- Dip the blue cheese portions in the finely minced walnuts then roll them into balls using the palms of your hands. Dip each ball into the finely minced walnuts and roll the ball in your hands so that the walnuts stick. You may need to put the cheese back in the fridge if it warms up and becomes too difficult to roll.
- Cut the grapes either in half if large or cut off the end if small, so that each grape sits nicely on a plate.
- To serve, skewer a cheese ball with a toothpick then skewer the grape. Let them sit at room temperature for at least 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Cut large grapes in half and trim the end off small grapes to provide a flat surface for stability.
- Chill the blue cheese mixture thoroughly before shaping to ensure it is firm enough to roll.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 60pieces
Amount Per Serving
Calories 28 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 piece | |
| Calories | 28kcal | 1% |
| Carbohydrates | 1g | 0% |
| Protein | 1g | 2% |
| Fat | 2g | 3% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 5mg | 2% |
| Sodium | 54mg | 2% |
| Potassium | 18mg | 0% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 53IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 19mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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