I hope the next time you’re sipping your favorite wine and need the perfect accompaniment, you remember this recipe for Roasted Grape Crostini!
So I wanted to call it: Roasted Grape Crostini with Ricotta, Mascarpone, and Fresh Thyme, but it’s a title that’s a bit too long for the video…
Harsh realities of the cutting room floor…
This video, which you’ll see later in the post, CCB’s second, Winter Sunset Cocktail was my first, was another family effort. With Dom behind the camera, and Luc editing, it’s become a family endeavor that’s too much fun not to engage.
Have you guys had the pleasure of eating roasted grapes?
What results after a light massage of olive oil, salt, pepper, fresh thyme, and high heat is, well, a thing of beauty.
Can you imagine it?
They’re sweet and melty and wine-y.
Then, when set atop crispy golden crostini that’s been smeared in ricotta and mascarpone… just one word comes to mind…
Fuggedaboutit!
I had the idea to combine ricotta and mascarpone because together they create a sweet, light topping.
Adding ricotta to mascarpone achieves a less heavy, more creamy spread. And because I’m going for a crostini that’s on the sweeter side, I didn’t want ricotta exclusively. Win-Win.
INGREDIENTS:
- seedless black grapes
- olive oil
- salt and cracked black pepper
- fresh thyme
- small dense loaf of Italian bread
- fresh ricotta
- mascarpone
- minced fresh thyme
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Preheat oven to 400 F.
- Place grapes on baking sheet.
- Toss with 3 Tbsp. olive oil, salt, pepper, and fresh thyme sprigs.
- Roast for 15 – 20 minutes until grapes are fragrant and softened. Remove from oven.
- When grapes are slightly cooled, remove from stems and set aside.
- Meanwhile, slice the Italian bread into 1/2-inch thick slices.
- Place on a baking sheet and drizzle both sides with remaining olive oil.
- Bake bread for 5 – 7 minutes in the 400 degree oven until golden and crispy.
- In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta with mascarpone and stir until smooth and creamy.
- To assemble crostini, slather the bread with the cheese mixture, top with roasted grapes, season with salt, pepper, and minced fresh thyme.
COOK’S NOTES:
- I left the grapes on the stems for the purpose of photos, but feel free to remove them before roasting. They’re much easier to handle.
- When serving, cheese can be on the colder side or room temp – whatever your preference. Dom actually popped the entire prepared crostini in the microwave for about 10 seconds, and that was also a delectable bite!
The perfect autumn nibble!
Buon Appetito!
Roasted Grape Crostini
Description
I hope the next time you’re sipping your favorite wine and need the perfect accompaniment, you remember this recipe for Roasted Grape Crostini!
Ingredients
- 1 pound seedless black grapes, rinsed
- 4 – 5 Tbsp. olive oil (divided)
- Salt and cracked black pepper to taste
- 3 – 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 small dense loaf of Italian bread
- 1/2 cup fresh ricotta
- 1/2 cup mascarpone
- 4 tsp. (or more) minced fresh thyme
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 F.
- Place grapes on baking sheet.
- Toss with 3 Tbsp. olive oil, salt, pepper and fresh thyme sprigs.
- Roast for 15 – 20 minutes until grapes are fragrant and softened. Remove from oven.
- When grapes are slightly cooled, remove from stems and set aside.
- Meanwhile, slice the bread into 1/2-inch thick slices.
- Place on a baking sheet and drizzle both sides with remaining olive oil.
- Bake bread for 5 – 7 minutes in the 400 degree oven until golden and crispy.
- In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta with mascarpone and stir until smooth and creamy.
- To assemble crostini, slather the bread with cheese, top with roasted grapes and season with salt, pepper and minced fresh thyme.
This post was originally published here March 8, 2016. The recipe remains the same but I’ve updated the photographs and text.
I’ve never had roasted grapes, but I can only imagine they would be delicious. I would think the flavors would be intensified. Serving them with cheese on toasted bread…well that’s just heavenly!
These are heavenly…really lovely flavors! Thanks, Kathy!!
I’ve never roasted grapes and I’ve never made crostini! I have to change that soon because this combo is so intriguing 🙂
Oh my! You must introduce crostini to your life!! 🙂
I can’t believe I’ve never had roasted grapes! They sound incredible, especially piled on a crostini with ricotta and mascarpone 😀 yum! I must try these soon.
I can’t believe it, either! I’m confident you’ll love them! 🙂
Grapes and cheese are such a classic, add some beautiful fresh bread and thyme and it’s sure to be a winner. Love your video!
Thank you so much, Mary! 🙂
Roasted grapes are seriously the best- basically roasting ANYTHING makes it 10x better, in my opinion! Love the combo of ricotta and mascarpone for ultimate creaminess 🙂
I am with you! I love roasting! I am constantly preheating my oven for something! Thanks, dear!
Yes, Annie, I’ve had the pleasure of eating roasted grapes few times. I incorporated them in salads, and it really was delicious. So I have no doubt that rhese crostini are great. Alnong with ricotta and mascarpone? Yes, please!
Yum! I would love them in a salad! Perfect! Thanks, friend!
I love roasted grapes and crostini= win! It sure looks like you guys are having fun family time making these videos! Give me a ring when it’s time for that wine tour and I’ll pack a bag!
Done! Get that bag ready, girlfriend!! 🙂
I love simple, flavorful crostini, Annie – and your version is just gorgeous and I’m sure delicious. Roasting grapes takes them to the next level – perfectly paired with the mild ricotta and mascarpone – just lovely!
I love roasting just about anything and grapes are no exception…so good! Thank you, my friend! 🙂
Oh my word, not only is it cool to bring the family in on this but it’s a wonderful appetizer. I have not, embarrassingly, had a roasted grape before so thanks for this. I love roasted cranberries with brussels sprouts, but that’s another story. Love video and you’ve got mad knife skills there 😉
Hahah! Wherever, however, whenever I can get the famiglia together – I win! This is an exciting thing we have going here…we’re having fun! Well, I must admit, I’m pretty surprised that you’ve never had a roasted grape. You need to get on that! And then report back! Thanks for noticing the knife skills 😉 – you’re witnessing many years of practice. Italian bread doesn’t stand a chance in my kitchen! 🙂
ummm, so you will be bringing these along when we tour the Cayuga Wine Trail this summer, right? Only instead of hitting the dusty roads, we’ll launch our boat and travel the trail on the beautiful crystal waters of Cayuga Lake with wine and grape crostini in tow…I can picture us right now my friend…oh boy!
Done and done! I was so tempted to write in the post – ‘Yeah, I’m talking to you, Karen!’ I’m already looking forward with great anticipation to that perfect summer’s day that you so eloquently describe! Can’t wait!! xo
Can I just tell you how much I seriously love a good crostini, it’s probably one of my favorite things to snack on! Absolutely adore this one Annie, I’ve never had roasted grapes before, but I can only imagine how delicious they are — especially with the ricotta, mscarpone and thyme. So good! Keep those videos coming, they are awesome!
I am with you! Anything on a little round of toasted bread? Forget about it! Thanks so much for stopping by with a kind word! Have a lovely day! 🙂
I have never had a roasted grape before. This sounds so intriguing and unique to me. Yum!
You must try it! Even without the crostini fixins – so good!! 🙂
So gorgeous! Grapes are such an underrated ingredient, you know?!
They really are! I need to use them more in my cooking…this is fun! Thank you, my friend!
Loving your videos, Annie! And so fun you are turning it into a family project! These crostini look incredibly delicious! Roasted grapes are indeed a real treat, but pairing them with both ricotta and mascarpone sounds fabulous! Atop some crusty bread with a garnish of fresh thyme? Forget about it! SO delicious! I could totally eat just these crostini as dinner! But they would be so perfect with a wine tasting! Pinned! Cheers, Friend!
Awh! Thanks, Cheyanne! I could not do it without my trusty partners! This is such a treat – whether for dinner or appetizers, but paired with a delicious wine – the best! Have a great day! xo
This is so exciting. I love it! I’ve always enjoyed watching people cook and now I realize I can get the same enjoyment just watching a video of folks cooking. And roasted red grapes! How did I never know of these before? I can’t wait to get to Wegmans, fetch some grapes, and have a roasting. Thank you so much for brightening up this gray morning. Cheers!
This is so exciting! Get yourself to Wegmans and give it a try! I think you’ll really love it, Robin! Thank you so much, my dear! I always appreciate seeing your name in my inbox! 🙂
I’ve not tried roastedg grapes. Feel like I’m missing out. Love mascarpone and ricotta. What Italian doesn’t. Perfect for my next get together. Congrats on the video. Need to get a tech savvy person and give that a try. Thanks for the inspiration.
Oh my friend…you need to try them! It is time! This really is a great appetizer, if I do say so, myself! As always, thank you so much for your kind words! Have a great day, lovely! 🙂
I loveeee roasted grapes and could definitely eat this crostini for a meal! Your video is so fun!
Aren’t they so good?! They play off the crispy salty mildly cheesy crostini so well…love it! Thanks, my friend!
I was just watching a cooking show over the weekend about grape recipes and they all sound so good! You really nailed it with this crostini, Annie! Definitely a unique and creative appetizer, which I think I could devour all on my own. And congrats on your second video, LOVE it and you did such a great job!
Really? Grapes are in the air!! Do you remember where you saw it? I’m so accustomed to tomatoes and basil on my crostini that this departure was a real fun one! Now my wheels are turning! Thank you so much, Gayle! xo
How much fun!! Did you guys get the giggles doing it? I love roasted anything — grapes included. We will have to make this next time we have a wine party! Our kids have been trying to get us to make videos of some of the dishes we make. Who knows — I’m trying to learn LR and PS right now — one thing at a time 😉 Next time how about a tarantella in the background?? That would be lots of fun too. Abbracci!!
Make the videos! It’s so fun…and quite rewarding! But I get it – first things first! You’ll get there! Awh – I would love to have had the tarantella in the background! I haven’t heard that in theee longest time! I’ll have to check that out for the next one! Thank you, my friend! xo
Oh wow! What a stunning looking crostini, Annie. Love how gorgeous and delicious they look. Beautiful pictures and presentation. PS: Love your fun video. Keep’m coming! 🙂
These are sooo good, Anu! You’d love it! Thanks, dear! 🙂