Blue Cheese Crostini with Balsamic-Roasted Grapes

By sdonatell

Ingredients

• 2 cups halved seedless red grapes
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons minced shallot
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon light brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 (12-oz.) French bread baguette, cut into 15 to 20 (1/2-inch-thick) slices
• 3 tablespoons butter, softened
• 2 ounces crumbled blue cheese, softened
• 1/3 cup chopped toasted pecans
• Garnish: chopped fresh thyme

Preparation

Step 1

1. Preheat oven to 425°. Toss together first 6 ingredients. Arrange grapes in a single layer in a small roasting pan; bake 15 to 20 minutes or until grapes wilt and liquid forms a thin syrup. Remove from oven.2. Increase oven temperature to broil with oven rack 7 inches from heat. Arrange bread slices in a single layer on a baking sheet. Stir together butter and cheese, and spread evenly over bread slices. Broil 2 to 3 minutes or until browned and bubbly. Spoon grape mixture over toasted bread, and sprinkle with pecans.