Easy Appetizers to Accompany Wine & Cheese

Wine and cheese is a classic. It is one of my favorite things and makes an appearance at almost any get together I throw. I recently discovered this Grape and Rosemary Focaccia and I love it thrown in with the wine & cheese. The combination of sweet and savory is wonderful. Another great wine and cheese snacking item I have really been enjoying is Crispy Thyme Flatbread – they are a perfect crunchy and salty snack. Both of these are savory, use fresh herbs that impart a great flavor and are easy and quick to make.

RECIPE: Grape & Rosemary Focaccia
Adapted from Giada DeLaurentis

• 1 lb. Store-bought Pizza Dough
• 2 tbs Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Coarse Sea Salt – to taste
• 1 Shallot, thinly sliced
• 1 tbs Rosemary Leaves
• 1 cup Red Grapes

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
2. Roll the pizza dough out to rectangular shape on a piece of parchment. Transfer the parchment to a baking sheet.
3. Brush the olive oil all over the top of the dough.
4. Sprinkle the sea salt, rosemary, and shallots evenly over the top. Spread the grapes evenly over the dough, gently pressing each one in.
5. Bake in the oven for about 25 min (follow the pizza dough directions).
6. Remove from oven and cool slightly. Cut into squares and serve.

RECIPE: Crispy Thyme Flatbread
Adapted from Gourmet Magazine

• 1 3/4 cups All Purpose Flour
• 2 tbs Thyme Leaves
• 1 tsp Baking Powder
• 3/4 tsp Kosher Salt
• 1/2 cup Water
• 1/3 cup Olive Oil plus extra for brushing
• Sea Salt

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
2. Mix flour, 1 tbs thyme, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Make a well in the center, then add the oil and water. Slowly stir in the flour using a wooden spoon until a dough is formed. Gently knead the dough about 5 times.
3. Divide dough into 3 pieces and roll out one piece into a rough 10″ round shape and place on parchment. Keep remaining dough covered with plastic while you work.
4. Lightly brush the top of each piece with oil and scatter remaining thyme leaves on top gently pressing into the dough. Sprinkle with the sea salt.
5. Transfer the parchment with the round to a baking sheet. Bake until pale golden and browned in spots about 8 to 10 minutes.
6. Transfer flatbread to a rack to cool. Break into pieces.
7. Repeat with remaining 2 pieces of dough, making one piece at a time.

For more recipes and entertaining tips from Zareen, visit her blog Cooking With Z.