‘The Pioneer Woman’: Ree Drummond’s Grape and Ricotta Toast Is a Unique Appetizer Idea
Ree Drummond makes an easy California-inspired appetizer with a surprising topping — roasted grapes. The Pioneer Woman star explains how the savory treat is perfect before dinner or even as a meal itself.
Ree Drummond dedicated a show to recipes inspired by California
Drummond demonstrated how to make the roasted grape and ricotta toast on an episode of The Pioneer Woman.
“I am excited about today’s recipes. I am cooking things that are inspired by California,” she explained. “Many of you may not know this but I had a little stint in California. I went to college out there and I am just in love with California-style food.”
She continued, “I am going to make some recipes that just remind me of my days out in old Cali.”
Drummond explained that the grapes in the recipe are a gamechanger. “I am going to make roasted grape ricotta toast. If you’ve never roasted grapes before, I am telling you guys, you’re missing out big time,” she explained. “I’m going to spread this over ricotta on a grilled toast. It’s just going to be splendid.”
How to make Ree Drummond’s delicious appetizer
To make the appetizer, Drummond added red grapes to a baking dish and drizzled olive oil over them, then added California red wine, fresh thyme, salt, and pepper.
“You know grapes are traditionally kind of sweet, especially this kind of red grape, but it’s really kind of undefinable what happens when they roast in the oven,” The Pioneer Woman star explained. “You’re gonna fall in love.”
Drummond roasted the grapes in a 400 degree Fahrenheit oven for 25 minutes and toasted sourdough bread on a grill pan. “It’s so crunchy and crispy and wonderful,” she shared.
After she removed the grapes from the oven, Drummond described the cooked fruit. “They turn into a completely different creature altogether,” she said.
To build the toast, the Food Network star cut each slice in half. “You can do it whole but I think a whole one is pretty enormous,” she said. “And this is kind of more of an appetizer/snack.”
She spread ricotta cheese on the toast, then spooned the grapes on top and topped it with lemon zest and a sprinkle of sea salt. “How beautiful is this? … I recommend it the next time you have someone special over for dinner,” Drummond said.
The full recipe is available on the Food Network website.
‘The Pioneer Woman’ star’s recipe earns rave reviews
Drummond’s appetizer recipe earns positive reviews on the Food Network site.
“I made this for an afternoon snack using gum drop grapes from the Grapery of California and I omitted the wine,” one reviewer shared. “It was delicious. I plan on serving this at my next party.”
Another reviewer noted, “This was so easy and delicious. I am not a regular viewer, and just happened upon this moment of one episode, but was inspired to give it a shot the very next day. So good, will add it to the brunch rotation!”
