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roasted grapes whipped goats cheese dip

Roasted Grapes & Whipped Goat's Cheese with Honey, Balsamic & Walnuts

Sweet, blistered roasted grapes nestled into a generous swoosh of lemony whipped goat's cheese, finished with toasted walnuts, fresh thyme and a glossy honey-balsamic dressing. Served with warm, crusty sourdough, it's a beautifully simple Mediterranean-inspired starter that makes rather more of an impression than the effort involved might suggest.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Course: Party Food
Cuisine: Modern Mediterranean
Keyword: autumn appetiser, easy entertaining, goat's cheese starter, honey balsamic grapes, Mediterranean starter, roasted grapes, roasted grapes with cheese, sourdough starter., whipped goat's cheese
Servings: 4

Ingredients

FOR THE ROASTED GRAPES

  • - 350–400g red seedless grapes preferably on the vine
  • - 2 tsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • - 3 sprigs fresh thyme
  • - Pinch of flaky sea salt

FOR THE WHIPPED GOAT'S CHEESE

  • - 150g soft spreadable goat's cheese
  • - 60g full-fat Greek yoghurt
  • - Finely grated zest of ½ lemon
  • - 1 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice

FOR THE DRESSING & TO SERVE

  • - 40g walnut halves
  • - 1 tbsp runny honey
  • - 2 tsp balsamic vinegar
  • - 1–2 sprigs fresh thyme for finishing
  • - Flaky sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • - 4–6 slices crusty sourdough bread

Instructions

Preheat the oven

  • Preheat your oven to 200°C fan (220°C conventional). Wash the grapes and dry thoroughly, leaving a few small clusters attached to their stems if you prefer a more rustic presentation.

Roast the grapes

  • Arrange the grapes in a single layer on a baking tray. Drizzle with the olive oil, add three sprigs of thyme and a pinch of flaky sea salt. Roast for 15–20 minutes, until the grapes are softened, their skins have begun to blister and their juices are just starting to escape. They should still hold their shape rather than collapse completely.

Toast the walnuts

  • While the grapes are roasting, place the walnuts in a dry frying pan over a medium-low heat. Toast for 3–5 minutes, shaking the pan occasionally, until fragrant. Remove from the heat, allow to cool slightly and roughly chop.

Whip the goat's cheese

  • Place the goat's cheese, Greek yoghurt, lemon zest and lemon juice in a mixing bowl or food processor. Whip until smooth, light and creamy, with a consistency that can be easily spread across a plate.

Prepare the sourdough

  • Lightly toast the sourdough slices until golden and crisp. Keep them separate from the cheese so they retain their texture.

Rest the grapes

  • Remove the grapes from the oven once softened and blistered. Allow them to rest for 3–4 minutes before assembling the dish.

Assemble the starter

  • Spoon the whipped goat's cheese onto a shallow serving dish or divide between two plates. Using the back of a spoon, spread it into a generous swoosh. Carefully arrange the warm roasted grapes over the cheese, allowing some of the creamy base to remain visible.

Add the honey-balsamic dressing

  • Combine the runny honey and balsamic vinegar in a small bowl. Drizzle over the roasted grapes and whipped cheese.

Finish and serve

    Notes

    Recipe notes
    Choosing your grapes: Red seedless grapes work beautifully here. Roasting concentrates their natural sweetness, while their skins soften and blister. Keeping a few grapes attached to their stems also makes for an attractive presentation.
    Getting the cheese right: Soft, spreadable goat's cheese is important for achieving the right texture. The Greek yoghurt helps create a lighter, creamier consistency without overwhelming the distinctive flavour of the cheese.
    Don't over-roast: The grapes should be tender and juicy but retain their shape. You want glossy, softened fruit rather than a tray of grape compote.
    Serving: The contrast between the warm grapes and creamy goat's cheese is part of what makes this dish particularly lovely. Serve the sourdough separately and let everyone help themselves.
    Make-ahead and storage
    This dish is best served freshly assembled, while the grapes are still warm and the toasted sourdough remains crisp.
    Make-ahead preparation, freezing and reheating have not been separately tested, so I wouldn't include specific claims about those in the published recipe. Any dairy-containing leftovers should be refrigerated promptly.
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!