Mediterranean Empire

Description

Sliced Empire apples with cucumbers, feta, and fresh mint leaf topped with a tiny drizzle of olive oil and a light sprinkle of Aleppo pepper is just the touch to spice up a light appetizer that is not only beautiful but delicious.

Ingredients

  • 1 New York-grown Empire apple, sliced into rounds*
  • ½ cup crumbled or creamy Feta cheese
  • 1 mini seedless cucumber sliced into rounds
  • 2 tbsps. olive oil
  • 10 medium-sized fresh mint leaves
  • Aleppo pepper or crushed red pepper to sprinkle

Instructions

  1. Place a single mint leaf on each apple round, then on top of the mint leaf, add a cucumber slice topped with one tablespoon of feta cheese. Continue until all slices are layered with mint, cucumber, and feta cheese.
  2. Lightly sprinkle each round with crushed red pepper and drizzle olive oil.
  3. Arrange on a plate and serve.
TIP:

* To cut the apple into rounds, turn it onto its side (stem facing to the right or left of a cutting board). Cut vertically down through the middle of the fruit resting on its side. Then, cut another slice (1/4-1/2 inch thick) in the same direction. The rounds will have seeds that can easily be removed with the sharp point of a small knife.