Grapepaste Recipes

GRAPE PASTE

Steps:

• Pick the grapes from the stem and wash well.
• Place them into a pot and just cover with water.
• Bring to the boil then reduce to a simmer and cook until the grapes are soft.
• Strain off the water and pass the grapes through a good mill or force through a sieve.
• Throw away the skins and any seeds and weight the resulting pulp.
• Place the pulp into a heavy-based pan with the required quantity of sugar.
• Cook until the pulp becomes very thick and is difficult to stir.
• If the fruit begins to stick and burn, remove it from the pot straight away and continue in a clean pot.
• Brush a biscuit tin with the grape seed oil then pour in the paste.
• Allow to set, and wrap in plastic.
• It is best kept in the fridge although in cooler climates may be stored in a pantry.
• It is tastiest after one month as flavour matures.

ROASTED GRAPES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Put the grapes on a baking sheet and toss with the olive oil. Roast until the grapes burst and get soft, wilted and a little charred, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Serve on peanut butter toast or crostini with cream cheese, or add them to a salad. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

GRAPE CAKE

Steps:

• Cream together the butter and the ¼ cup sugar. Beat in egg yolks, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in lemon rind and vanilla.
• In another bowl, beat egg whites until they hold soft peaks. Add the ½ cup sugar, 2 tablespoonfuls at a time and continue to beat until they hold stiff peaks.
• Stir one fourth of the whites into the yolk mixture and fold in the remaining whites. Sift the sifted flour over the mixture, folding it in gently.
• Transfer the batter to a buttered 8 inch round cake pan. Sprinkle the grapes over the top of the batter.
• Bake at 350 F for 35-40 minutes or until it is lightly browned and pulls away from the sides of the pan. Let the cake cool in the pan on a rack until barely warm. Makes 6 to 8 servings depending on how you cut it.

GRAPE TART

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• In a food processor, pulse flour, sugar, and salt. Add butter; pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add 2 tablespoons ice water; process until mixture just comes together when squeezed (add more water if necessary). Add oats; pulse to combine.
• Press dough onto bottom and 1 inch up sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Bake until golden, about 25 minutes. Remove sides of pan; cool crust.
• Whisk cooled pastry cream until smooth. Spread evenly in crust; arrange grapes on top; press in.
• Chill at least 2 hours and up to 1 day. Just before serving, dust with confectioners' sugar.

GRAPE & ROSEMARY JELLY

Steps:

• Tip the grapes into a pan with the wine and rosemary. Add water to cover the grapes. Add the lemon zest and bring slowly to the boil, stirring. Cover and simmer for 5 mins, then mash the grapes using a potato masher. Cook for a further 10 mins, mashing a few more times to crush the grapes.
• Tip the grape mixture into a jelly bag or muslin-lined colander and leave to drip through for at least a couple of hours, or overnight if there's time.
• Put 3 saucers in the freezer. Measure the juice (you will need 600ml) and return it to the pan. Add the sugar and lemon juice, and bring to the boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar and skimming off any scum that rises to the surface using a slotted spoon. When the sugar has dissolved, increase the heat and boil hard until setting point is reached. This should take about 5-10 mins. To test for set, remove the jelly from the heat and spoon a little onto one of the cold saucers. Push with a finger; if it wrinkles, it is ready. If not, boil for a min or so more and test again.
• Pot the jelly into small sterilised jars (see tip, below), seal and label. Store in a cool, dry place for up to 1 year.

FROSTED GRAPES

Steps:

• Pluck grapes from their stems and rinse in a colander. Pour the gelatin mix onto a plate. Place grapes on the plate one handful at a time and roll around until coated. Transfer to a pretty dish and refrigerate for 1 hour to allow the gelatin to set.