Grape & Goat Cheese Truffles

Are you preparing for holiday gatherings or planning a New Year's Eve party? This fresh, tasty and easy recipe will help you prepare a unique crowd pleaser!

Makes 12 appetizers

4 ounces fresh goat cheese, softened
2 ounces light cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup toasted sliced almonds, finely chopped
2 tablespoons minced fresh chives
12 seedless grapes

In a medium bowl, mix together the goat cheese and cream cheese. In a small bowl, mix together the almonds and chives. Use a teaspoon to scoop a bit of the cheese mixture into your hand; form it into a ball, and then press the grape into the cheese, pressing it into place to cover the grape completely. (This is a bit messy, but not at all difficult.) Repeat with the remaining grapes and cheese mixture. Roll each cheese-covered grape in the chive-almond mixture to coat lightly. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes to set the cheese.

Nutrition facts (per serving):

46 calories
3.6g fat
46mg sodium
1g carbs
0.5g fiber
2.6g protein

Looking for more healthy party-hosting ideas? Check out this article: 6 Ways to Spark Your New Year's Eve Party with Local Flavor.

Bryn Mooth is the author of the Findlay Market Cookbook, the editor of Edible Ohio Valley magazine, and she also publishes a website called writes4food.com. She loves cooking tasty and uncomplicated dishes, cultivating a small vegetable garden and shopping at the Tristate area's many local farmers markets. Saturday mornings, you'll find Bryn at Findlay Market bright and early, doing much of her grocery shopping for the week. She's pleased to be partnering with Healthspirations to share her recipes, how-tos and information about eating healthfully in Cincinnati!