RECIPE

Goat-Cheese-Stuffed Grape Leaves

  • ACTIVE:
  • TOTAL TIME: 30 MIN
  • SERVINGS: Makes 12 packages

Inspired by Turkey's stuffed grape leaves, Mehmet Gürs ingeniously wraps goat cheese in the briny leaves then quickly grills the little packages so the cheese melts.

  • ACTIVE:
  • TOTAL TIME: 30 MIN
  • SERVINGS: Makes 12 packages
  • FAST
  • MAKE-AHEAD
  • VEGETARIAN

Ingredients

  • Ingredients
    1. 12 jarred grape leaves
    2. 1 teaspoon minced dried thyme
    3. 1 teaspoon minced dried rosemary
    4. 1 teaspoon minced dried lavender
    5. One 12-ounce log of soft goat cheese, chilled
    6. Salt
    7. 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing
    8. Grilled bread, for serving (optional)

Directions

  1. Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil. Add the grape leaves and boil for 30 seconds; drain. Blanch the leaves a second time in fresh boiling water. Drain again, pat dry and cut off the stems. Spread the leaves out on a work surface, vein sides up.
  2. Light a grill or heat a grill pan. In a shallow dish, combine the thyme, rosemary and lavender. Cut the goat cheese into 12 equal rounds. Lightly roll the edge of each round in the herbs. Set a round in the center of each grape leaf and season lightly with salt. Drizzle each round with 1/2 teaspoon of oil and wrap them in the leaves. Lightly brush the packages with olive oil.
  3. Grill the packages over moderately high heat for 2 minutes per side, until the leaves are crisp on the outside and the cheese is slightly melted. Serve with grilled bread.