I’m sure you are also sad to be saying so long to summer picnics and hello to earlier evenings. The only reason why I am excited is the produce that fall brings – especially incredible apples!
The last time we had friends over for dinner, I wanted to go a more formal route and put together an appetizer, salad, main dish, and dessert. While I was putting together my ideas, Noah reminded me that they were gluten-free.
I easily subbed a rice dish where I had planned to make pasta, but got stumped when it came to the appetizer- I didn’t want to buy gluten-free products just to have the Manchego cheese I was craving. Since I wasn’t flexible on giving up the cheese, I changed my thinking: why couldn’t the apple slice be the ‘bread’ equivalent? Bingo to a perfect sweet, savory + salty combination!
- 1 cup raw unsalted walnuts
- 2 teaspoons balsamic glaze
- 2 large fuji apples
- 3 ounces Manchego cheese
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- Balsamic glaze to drizzle
- In a food processor, blend walnuts until they turn to a paste. Add balsamic glaze and process until combined.
- Slice apples into thin planks and slice cheese into triangular shapes.
- Assemble bites by smearing a teaspoon or more of the balsamic walnut butter onto the apple slice. Top with cheese and dried cranberries. Drizzle additional balsamic glaze on top and serve immediately.
I purchased balsamic glaze at Trader Joe's, and have seen it at other stores. To make balsamic glaze, cook balsamic vinegar on the stove until reduced by half and syrupy.
The crisp, sweet apple and chewy dried cranberries are complimented with creamy walnut butter, mild salty cheese and a tangy balsamic garnish. 5 ingredients to a fancy-pants gluten-free appetizer that hits all your taste buds in the head!
I am working on tagging my recipes that are naturally gluten-free, and you can see the collection develop slowly here if you are looking for gluten-free options (try one of my most popular cold weather recipes, Brown Rice Minestrone Soup!).
What do you love about fall? The produce, the weather, or the cozy clothes? I can’t wait to come back to Colorado at the end of the month and load up on perfect apples!
Marisa
Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health says
walnut butter sounds really good with apple! and cheese, i die.
Marisa says
It really is a combo that had me swooning. Thanks for commenting!
Cassie says
I think I love all of those things about fall… oh, and wonderful running temperatures!
Marisa says
For the first time in my life, I will agree with you on the fall temps – this is my first fall running and it’s so beautiful!!