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    Home » Appetizer Recipes

    Grape and Goat Cheese Crostini with Pancetta

    Published: Nov 10, 2018 · Modified: Jul 10, 2021 by Philip + Mystique · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Sweet, tangy and creamy, our Grape and Goat Cheese Crostini is made by cooking our grapes and pancetta in a splash of Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Wine then placing them atop a piece of perfectly toasted baguette and goat cheese.

    Disclaimer: This post for Grape Crostini was sponsored by Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Wines. All opinions are our own. Enjoy and drink responsibly.

    Grape and goat cheese crostini on a marble and wood board with grapes and a red wine bottle

    During family occasions, we almost always serve our meals pot-luck style. When you consider your extended family your immediate family, the table setting gets larger and larger and too much for one person to host, much less make an entire meal for. Typically my Dad makes a Curry, my Aunt brings a Lasagna, Phil and I bring Twice Baked Potatoes, and my mom (while as of lately she's been experimenting in the kitchen) was always in charge of appetizers.

    Mini quiche, jalapeño poppers, cheese and fruit platters galore, she always went all out when it came to appetizers, so much that majority of the time we were all full from this first course. But on very special occasions, she would make her famous Strawberry Jam and Cream Cheese Croissants, creamy, sweet and tangy spread on a buttery and flakey croissant. It was her go-to recipe and a quick and delicious contribution to our family holiday meals.

    Ingredients for Grape and Goat Cheese Crostini

    A take on my mom's Strawberry Jam and Cream Cheese Croissants, we swapped out the jam for sautéed grapes, the cream cheese for goat cheese and the croissant for crostini, and named our version, Grape and Goat Cheese Crostini. With the same sweetness, tanginess and creaminess from mom's appetizer, we added in a bit of extra flavour using pancetta and reducing our grapes in a splash of Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Wine.

    Grape and goat cheese crostini on a marble and wood board with grapes

    For our Grape and Goat Cheese crostini, we chose the Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Wines Merlot. Its medium bodied flavour is a good balance with the sweetness of the grapes and compliments the pancetta and goat cheese. And not only are we using merlot in the recipe, but with the bright fruit flavours of Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Wines, you can serve a variety of their wines that will pair nicely with this crostini. You can find Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Wines in the California section of your local liquor store.

    How to Make Grape and Goat Cheese Crostini with Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Merlot

    Toast the Bread

    Preheat your oven to 400° and slice a baguette into 16 pieces. Lay baguette slices on a baking sheet and toast them in the oven for about 8 minutes, until very lightly browned.

    Baguette toasts on a baking sheet

    Make the Grape Topping

    Add diced pancetta to a frying pan and place on medium-high heat. Cook until the pancetta becomes crisp, about 5 minutes. Add the grapes and rosemary, and continue to cook for another 5 minutes or so. The grapes will begin to caramelize and skins will wrinkle. Remove the pan from the heat and pour in the merlot, then return the pan to the heat until the wine has evaporated. Remove the rosemary and season the grapes with a little salt and pepper.

    [one_half]Grapes, rosemary and pancetta in a white frying pan[/one_half][one_half_last]Cooked grapes in a white frying pan

    [/one_half_last]Pouring wine into the frying pan of grapes

    Assemble the Crostini

    Using softened goat cheese, spread a heaping tablespoonful onto a piece of baguette. Top with a spoonful of grapes. Serve with the same Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Merlot you used to cook with.

    Baguette toast on a baking sheet with goat cheese next to frying pan of cooked grapes

    Visit Woodbridgewines.com for more recipes, serving tips and check out the wine pairing app that provides recommendations of what wine to serve with your food.

    Close up of Grape and Goat Cheese Crostini

    Grape and Goat Cheese Crostini with Pancetta

    Philip Lago & Mystique Mattai
    A great appetizer for dinner parties or the holidays, our Crostini with Grapes and Goat Cheese, are the perfect bite of sweetness from the grapes, balanced by the acid of the wine and saltiness of the pancetta, finished with the creamy goat cheese.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Course Appetizer, food and drink
    Cuisine Canadian, north american
    Servings 8 servings
    Calories 215

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 baguette cut into 16 slices
    • 8 oz goat cheese softened
    • 2 oz pancetta diced
    • 8 oz red grapes cut in half lengthwise
    • 1 sprig rosemary
    • ¼ cup red wine
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 400°. Place the baguette slices on a baking sheet and toast them for 8 minutes, until lightly toasted.
    • Meanwhile, add the pancetta to a frying pan. Turn the heat to medium-high and cook the pancetta until crisp. Add the grapes and sprig of rosemary and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring and tossing often, until caramelized.
    • Remove the pan from the heat and pour in the wine. Return to the heat and cook until the wine evaporates, about 5-7 more minutes. Remove the rosemary and season the grapes with salt and pepper.
    • To assemble, spread a heaping tablespoon of goat cheese on a pieces of baguette. Top with a spoonful of grapes.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 215kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 9gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 416mgPotassium: 120mgFiber: 1gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 315IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 68mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword easy finger foods, grape appetizers, party food
    Have you tried this recipe?Tag us on Instagram @chef.souschef or use the hashtag #chefsouschef and let us know how it was!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Maria says

      November 28, 2018 at 9:28 am

      This is such a great pass around appetizer appetizer. The wine is a great match with the grapes and goat cheese. I'm looking forward to serving these over the holidays!5 stars

      Reply
    2. Eimear says

      December 12, 2018 at 12:06 pm

      Thanks for this great recipe. It looks easy and delicious - 2 prerequisites for me as I'm not very confident in the kitchen. This I will definitely try over the Holidays for sure!!5 stars

      Reply
      • Chef Sous Chef says

        December 12, 2018 at 12:19 pm

        Thanks for stopping by the blog. It definitely meets your prerequisites ? Happy holidays!

        Reply
    3. Elisha says

      December 12, 2018 at 1:35 pm

      This looks fabulous! Definitely going to try this. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Chef Sous Chef says

        December 12, 2018 at 1:41 pm

        Thanks Elisha. Let us know what you think once you try it ?

        Reply
    4. Elizabeth says

      December 12, 2018 at 2:35 pm

      Looks delicious! Our sons love grapes- I bet I could get them to try goat cheese like this!

      Reply
      • Chef Sous Chef says

        December 12, 2018 at 4:11 pm

        Thanks Elizabeth. The sweetness of the grapes mellows out the tanginess of the goat cheese, so it would be a great way to introduce your son to goat cheese.

        Reply
    5. Narmeen says

      December 12, 2018 at 8:13 pm

      Tempted to try it out this weekend. Looks fairly easy to make

      Reply
      • Chef Sous Chef says

        December 12, 2018 at 8:35 pm

        Please do! Simple and delicious ?

        Reply
    6. Madi Rowan says

      December 12, 2018 at 11:30 pm

      I wouldn't be able to eat this due to being Celiac & dairy free but WOW does it look amazingly good!

      -Madi xo
      http://www.everydaywithmadirae.com

      Reply
      • Chef Sous Chef says

        December 13, 2018 at 8:39 am

        Thanks Madi ?

        Reply
    7. Hillary Ross says

      December 13, 2018 at 12:29 am

      Yum! I just saved this to Pinterest for easy access later. Such a good recipe combining all my favourites: Goat cheese, grapes, baguette and merlot! I can't wait to try

      Reply
      • Chef Sous Chef says

        December 13, 2018 at 8:39 am

        Thanks Hillary. They are some favourites of ours too!

        Reply
    8. Shannah says

      December 13, 2018 at 2:52 am

      Yum! I’ve never tried anything where I cook grapes, but this looks delicious!

      Reply
    9. Patricia @ Grab a Plate says

      December 13, 2018 at 9:45 am

      How lovely! I'll be making this for Christmas Eve! Thanks for the recipe and idea!

      Reply
      • Chef Sous Chef says

        December 13, 2018 at 2:33 pm

        It's a perfect Christmas Eve appetizer. Enjoy!

        Reply
    10. Brandi Soileau says

      December 13, 2018 at 1:10 pm

      This looks amazing! I had something similar for dinner last night!

      xoxo Brandi

      Reply
    11. Ricci says

      December 14, 2018 at 6:57 am

      This sounds like a fantastic appetizer!!

      Reply
      • Chef Sous Chef says

        December 16, 2018 at 8:57 am

        Thanks Ricci! It really is delicious, and simple too!

        Reply
    12. Marsha Hill says

      November 16, 2019 at 1:36 pm

      Such a fun way to use grapes!5 stars

      Reply

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