Grape Salad with Toffee Almonds

I have seen other grape salads, in fact, I have made other grape salads (like this one here.), that really push the “salad“ boundary to the limit. Let’s face it; a lot of grape salads really aren’t salads at all, but delicious desserts.

Because this is Muscato grape season, and because I love grapes, I try to use them in as many ways as possible, including green salad, chicken salad, coleslaw, and yes, a salad all their own. But, it occurred to me that to be able to truly call this a salad, it needed a vegetable or two. So, I turned the traditional dessert-y-type of grape salad on its head, and added actual salad ingredients. It doesn’t lose a thing when it comes to great taste, but gains a little bit when it comes to nutrition. If you’re looking to sneak some vegetables into your family’s meals, you can hide them fairly well here.

Grape Salad with Toffee Almonds

1 8-oz. pkg. cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup sour cream
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Pinch of cinnamon
1 3-pound pkg. Melissa’s Organic Red Muscato Grapes

½ cup chopped celery

2 Tablespoons grated carrot
1/2 cup toffee almonds (find recipe here), plus extra for garnish

In a large mixing bowl, beat together cream cheese, sour cream, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon. Fold in grapes, celery, carrots, and almonds. Refrigerate at least one hour. Serve in one large, or eight individual serving dishes topped with a few toffee almonds.

PRINT RECIPE

For a refreshing salad that uses a variety of grapes, try this Fresh Grape Salad.

This post is linked to:

Thursday Favorite Things
 Funtastic Friday
Best of the Weekend
Pink Saturday
Snickerdoodle Create Bake & Create

Grace at Home

Friday at the Fire Station Create, Bake, Grow and Gather

This post contains affiliate links.

May is National Salad Month

May is National Salad Month, and before it gets away (Can you believe that June is next week?), I wanted to share some of my favorite salads with you. This is a tasty and diverse group. Some are hearty, some are light, all are unique and satisfying, and sure to earn you lots of compliments. To get to the recipe, click on the name of the salad beneath each picture.

Chickpea, Avocado and Feta Salad

Fava Bean and Cherry Tomato Salad

 Pear and Walnut Salad

 Muffaletta Pasta Salad

 Tarragon Chicken Salad with Champagne Grapes

 Baby Greens, Beet, Walnut, and Blue Cheese Salad

 Mexican Cobb Salad

 Waldorf Salad

 Sorrel & Watermelon Salad with Feta

This post is linked to:

Merry Monday

Art of Homemaking

Amaze Me Monday

Busy Mondays

What’s for Dinner?

Inspiration Monday

Cooking & Crafting Monday

Mosaic Monday

Muscato Red Grape Salad

It's Muscato grape season, and if you haven't tried these grapes then you are in for a real treat. Much sweeter than the average grape, and available in red, purple/black, and green varieties, they are crisp and juicy, and perfect for salads or desserts. This refreshing grape salad makes a wonderful summer side dish. It pairs well with soup, sandwiches, or quiche at lunch, or with a juicy steak pulled from the grill for dinner. Packed and sealed in Weck jars tossed into a cooler, it makes a welcome addition to a picnic, or refreshing pick-me-up during a family road trip.

Muscato Red Grape Salad

1 lb. Melissa's Muscato red grapes 

1/2 cup chopped celery

1/2 cup toasted pecans, broken

3/4 cup heavy cream, whipped
2 oz. softened cream cheese
3/8 cup confectioners’ sugar
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 tsp. lemon juice

Wash and stem grapes; set aside. In a bowl, mix cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, sour cream, and lemon juice until well blended. Fold in whipped cream, then grapes, celery, and pecans. Chill.  Serve on lettuce leaves in individual ramekins. Top with a light sprinkling of cinnamon, or additional pecans, if desired.  Serves 4.

This post is linked to:

Works for Me Wednesday