I am quite aware this blog is primarily filled with baked goods, sticks of butter, cups of sugar, and an inevitable spike in your virtual cholesterol. There's a good reason for it, too. I love working and kneading dough with my hands. I love the smell and sound of bubbling browned butter. I love the soft sweetness that adding just a hint of sugar brings to dark and decadent desserts. Most importantly, I love eating these sweet treats. But every once in a while I find a recipe that, even though it doesn't have anything to do with baking, is just too good not to share with you, blog theme be damned.
I'm hoping you'll forgive me.
Today, I'm going to step out of my frosting covered comfort zone and share a salad with you.
My mother actually made this grape salad for a potluck lunch. She had read raving reviews about it and promptly decided she needed to know what all the fuss was about. I'm glad she went to the trouble. Even though the salad may look a little peculiar (and to be honest, I was initially very skeptical about it), it is undeniably delicious. Even the guests who were hesitant to try it inevitably came back for seconds. That speaks volumes.
Since I can't get enough of this grape salad, I made it again, this time just for myself. If you're lucky, I just might share it with you.
This Creamy Grape Salad is fresh and light, with just the right balance of sweet and tart. Cream cheese and sour cream are mixed together with a touch of sugar to make the base. Though the combination of these ingredients might sound strange to you (as they did me), keep in mind that these are the primary components of fruit dips. The salad features both sweet red grapes and tart green grapes which mingle together with toasted almonds and brown sugar. The complete recipe is perfect for a potluck or friendly get-together while halving the recipe will provide just the right amount for your own family. You don't want to miss this.
Creamy Grape Salad
Adapted from Taste of Home
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup sour cream
1/3 cup sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 pounds seedless red grapes
2 pounds seedless green grapes
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted
In a medium mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese and sour cream until smooth. Mix in the sugar and vanilla extract. Stir in the grapes until evenly coated. Mix in 2 tablespoons of brown sugar and toasted almonds.
Serve chilled. Top with the remaining brown sugar and almonds.
