Green Grapes, Drunken Goat Cheese, and Jalapenos on a Toothpick


Trust me.  Really.  I know, I know this sounds totally bizarre....  These perfect little green gems are super easy to make, crisp and refreshing, and pack a little bit of heat.  These make the perfect unexpected appetizer everyone is amazed that they like.  Give it a go!  (Biggest chemist secret: how to clean your hands properly after cutting a jalapeno....  Rub you hands with any kind of oil, followed by a good lathered wash with soap.  It works!  It removes all the capsicum that is oil soluble (like dissolves like) and that could burn your eyes when you inadvertently rub your eyes with hot pepper fingers.  Ouch.)  

Ingredients:
green grapes
drunken goat cheese
jalapeno peppers
toothpicks

Directions:
Wash and dry the grapes.  Cut the rind off of the drunken goat cheese and cut into uniform small cubes, slightly small than the grapes.  Prepare the jalapeno by cutting the top off, cutting in half lengthwise, coring out the seeds and ribs, and cutting into uniform square pieces to match the cheese.  Remember the trick of rubbing your hands and fingers with oil before washing up to remove all the heat after handling peppers.

Now it's a matter of assembling.  On each toothpick, put on one grape, cube of cheese, followed by the square of jalapeno pepper.  Place on a platter for serving.  These apps keep well in the fridge, covered under plastic wrap for a couple of days.  You pick how much or how little you want to make.

-Erin Swing
Swing Eats

This is part of Food Network's Summer Soiree. Check out The FN Dish.  The summer produce we're focusing on here are no-cook dishes.  On twitter, we're tagging #SummerSoiree. Here are other delicious recipes to try out that will help you keep cool in the hot weather:

 Feed Me Phoebe: 5 Farmer's Market Summer Salad Recipes
Healthy Eats: Ovenless Entertaining
Dishin & Dishes: Coral Snake Salsa (Apricot Tomatillo)
The Mom 100: Simple Raspberry Fool
Domesticate Me: Arugula Salad with Shaved Zucchini, Pistachios and Parmesan
Taste with the Eyes: Santa Barbara Sea Urchin à la Jean-Georges
Homemade Delish: Delicious Ceviche
Napa Farmhouse 1885: Tomato & Mozzarella Sandwich with Basil-Garlic Scape Pesto
Red or Green: Gott's Gazpacho
Swing Eats: Green Grapes, Drunken Goat Cheese, and Jalapenos on a Toothpick
Bacon and Souffle: Scallop Ceviche
FN Dish: A Complete Menu of No-Cook Recipes for the Whole Day

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