GRAPE HORS D' OEUVRES

I was gifted with a whole tray of grapes the other day I still had a lot leftover after giving several bags away. I did not want to just munch on the grapes as I had often done in the past so I googled for grape recipes. Unlike cherries, where you can make pie, it seemed like the only other recipes for grapes were for juice or as finishing touches to salads or chicken meals. Until I found this rachel ray recipe.

The recipe is for grape nibblers, as I call them. All you do is slice up some prosciutto, throw it in with some mascarpone cheese and then sandwich the dip into the grapes.

It was so simple I didn't even have to read the instructions - I just watched her. The best thing about it is that it's no cook.


Mascarpone cheese is practically like cream cheese, just a little less sharp; and the prosciutto was a brilliant touch. I experimented by batch and realized that I liked the batches that were more generous with prosciutto better. The smokey flavor provided a contrast to the sweetness of the grapes and the creaminess of the cheese.

Like Rachel says, "dee-lish!"

GRAPES WITH PROSCIUTTO CREAM BITES (from Rachel Ray)

Ingredients

* 1 bunch large green or red seedless grapes, cut in half lengthwise
* 1 cup mascarpone cheese
* 1/4 pound sliced prosciutto, chopped
* freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

In a bowl, combine the mascarpone with the prosciutto and season with some freshly ground black pepper. Spoon or pipe a small amount of the prosciutto cream mixture onto the cut side of a grape and sandwich the cream with the other half of the grape. Continue until you have used up all the cream.

Yields: 6 servings