Mulled Spiced Grapes with Caramelized Onions and Goat Cheese Crustinis

Talk about sensory overload! This makes for an impressive appetizer or even a meal because I can gaurantee you won't be able to only eat a few.

Warning - you WILL need a lot of time to cook this!

Shopping List:

1 bundle green seedless grapes

1 bundle red seedless grapes

1/2 cup sugar

1/3 cup white wine vinegar

1/3 cup honey

1 tbs mustard seeds

1 tbs corriander seeds

2 bay leaves

1 pinch red pepper flakes

4 large sweet onions

1 tsp dried thyme

1 12oz package goat cheese

1/3 cup heavy cream

1 bagette

Mulled Spiced Grapes:

In a dutch oven cook the grapes and 1/2 cup sugar for 1 hour on medium heat. Mash with a potato masher. Add the vinegar and honey. Make a satchel with your spices. I often use a tea ball but mesh works perfectly. Add to the mixture and cook to reduce another hour or so. Remove the spice satchel. Let cool.

TIp: these would even be incredible on pork, vanilla ice cream or I'm sure you can dream up a few other delicous ways to eat the left over of these! Store in a jam jar or little mason jar in the fridge. I even made some extra and froze a bit!

Caramiled Onions: Cut your onions in half and slice them all the same size. In another dutch oven cook the onions in a drizzle of EVOO on medium-low heat. Cook for 4 hours stirring occassionally. Make sure the onions don't burn on the bottom of the pan. If then get a bit dry add a bit more olive oil. S&P and add the thyme at the end. Anytime I use a dry spice I rub it together in my hands over the pot to break up the spice a bit and bring it back to life. Maybe I've just watched too much Rachael Ray over the years with this tip!

Goat Cheese:

In a mixer, add the room temperature cheese and cream whipping it together. Add a pinch of S&P.

Crustini:

Slice the bagette all the same size and drizzle with olive oil. Sear on a skillet until browned on both sides.

Build your crustinis by layering with goat cheese then those delicious caramelized onions and topping with what will be your new favorite side to add to anything you desire, these mulled spiced grapes. Tell me you can't eat just one?!