GRAPE TOMATO "BLOSSOMS"

Active time: 45 min Start to finish: 45 min 1/3 cup peppered Boursin cheese (from a 5.2-oz package), softened 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh basil 18 very thin slices Genoa salami (3 1/2 inches in diameter; 1/4 lb) 18 grape tomatoes 18 long fresh chives Stir together cheese and basil until combined well. Put 1/2 teaspoon cheese in center of 1 salami round. Press 1 tomato, stemmed end down, into cheese (to stabilize it), then gather salami up around tomato. Turn wrapped tomato on its side and tie salami with a chive just below gathers (handle chive gently so it won't break), leaving top of tomato exposed. Make more "blossoms" in same manner, then trim chives. Cooks' note: • Tomato blossoms can be made 4 hours ahead and chilled, loosely covered with plastic wrap. Let stand at room temperature 15 minutes before serving. Makes 18 hors d'oeuvres.   Gourmet August 2003 Epicurious Food © 2003 CondéNet Inc. All rights reserved.