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Tanghulu Candied Grape and Blue Cheese Crostini Recipe

Tanghulu Candied Grape and Blue Cheese Crostini

MAKES 1 DOZEN

Tanghulu is a traditional Chinese treat of fruit beautifully coated in a shiny, candied shell. Served on skewers, like lollipops, it's a popular item sold by street vendors. We add tanghulu grapes to crostini and blue cheese for a sweet-and-savory appetizer with an addicting crunch.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 24 grapes, rinsed and thoroughly dried
  • 1/2 cup creamy blue cheese or goat cheese
  • 12 crostini
  • OPTIONAL:
  • Chopped, toasted hazelnuts or almonds
  • SPECIAL EQUIPMENT:
  • Bamboo skewers (at least 6-inches long)
  • Candy thermometer (See Cook's Tip)

Directions:

  1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
  2. Place 1 to 3 grapes on the end of each bamboo skewer. Be sure the grapes are completely dry or the syrup will not stick.
  3. Clip candy thermometer to the inside of a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan. Add sugar. Slowly pour in 1 cup water around edges of pan and over sugar. Do not allow sugar crystals to stick to the pot above the water line. Place over medium heat. Heat, without stirring, until temperature reaches 300°F, the "hard crack stage" in candy-making, about 10 minutes. Be very careful as hot syrup will burn skin if touched or splashed. Remove from heat.
  4. Work quickly as the syrup will harden as it cools. Dip grapes, one skewer at a time, into hot syrup, carefully tilting saucepan and rotating skewer to fully coat fruit. Remove skewer, twirl slowly, and allow extra syrup to drip back into pan. Place on lined baking sheet to cool. A hard shell will form around the fruit. Repeat with remaining skewers.
  5. Spread cheese on each crostini. Remove tanghulu grapes from skewers, rough chop, and place atop cheese. Sprinkle with nuts, if desired. Serve immediately. (Tanghulu grapes are best consumed right away as the shell will eventually soften.)
  6. Cook's Tip:
  7. If you don't have a candy thermometer, check to see if the syrup is ready by dipping a spoon in ice water and then in the syrup. A hard shell should form immediately.

Nutrition:

Amount Per Serving (based on 4 servings)
Calories: 240
Total Fat: 14 g
Saturated Fat: 4 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 15 mg
Sodium: 400 mg
Carbohydrates: 26 g
Fiber: 0 g
Total Sugar: 15 g
Added Sugars: 13 g
Protein: 5 g
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