Grilled Grape Leaf Wrapped Goat Cheese Recipes

GRILLED FETA WRAPPED IN GRAPE LEAVES

Steps:

• Whisk the olive oil, lemon zest, garlic, za'atar and Aleppo pepper in a shallow bowl or small baking dish. Add the feta and spoon the oil over the top. Set aside to marinate 1 hour.
• While the cheese marinates, place the grape leaves in a bowl of room-temperature water and let soak.
• Line a small baking sheet with paper towels. Drain the grape leaves and lay in a single layer on the towels; pat very dry. On a clean surface, overlap the grape leaves slightly to form a square. Place the block of feta in the center (reserve the flavored oil), then fold the grape leaves to cover the cheese like a present.
• Preheat a grill to medium high and prepare for indirect grilling: On a charcoal grill, bank the coals to one side; on a gas grill, turn off half the burners. Toast the pita over direct heat, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Brush the outside of the wrapped feta with some of the reserved oil and place on the cooler side of the grill (indirect heat). Cook until the grape leaves are crisp and slightly charred, 4 to 5 minutes. Flip and move to direct heat; grill until lightly charred on the second side and the cheese is warmed through, about 3 more minutes. Transfer to a board or platter and serve with the pita, olives, walnuts and/or apricots, plus any remaining flavored oil.

GRILLED GRAPE LEAF WRAPPED GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat a grill to medium high. Wrap the grape leaves around the cheese to cover it completely; tie with kitchen twine. Brush the wrapped cheese with olive oil and grill, turning once, until the leaves begin to char and the cheese is soft, 5 to 8 minutes. Meanwhile, mix 1/4 cup olive oil, the rosemary, red pepper flakes and salt to taste in a bowl. Transfer the warm cheese to a serving plate, pour the oil on top and remove the twine. Serve with bread.

GOAT CHEESE IN GRAPE LEAVES WITH TOMATO AND OLIVE SALAD

Steps:

• Whisk 1/2 cup oil, thyme, and black pepper in small bowl to blend. Arrange grape leaves, vein side up, on work surface. Dip each cheese round into thyme oil and place in center of 1 grape leaf. Fold sides of leaves over cheese; fold up bottom and continue to roll up, enclosing cheese completely. Arrange wrapped cheeses, seam side down, on platter. Brush lightly with some thyme oil. Cover and chill at least 1 hour. (Can be made 1 day ahead; keep chilled. Cover remaining thyme oil and store at room temperature.)
• Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Whisk 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, vinegar, and mustard in small bowl to blend. Season dressing with salt and pepper. Slightly overlap tomato slices on large platter. Drizzle with dressing; sprinkle with half of olives.
• Place wrapped cheese rounds on grill, seam side down. Grill until cheese softens and leaves begin to char, about 2 minutes per side. Arrange cheeses atop tomatoes. Sprinkle with remaining olives.
• Brush bread slices with remaining thyme oil. Grill bread until beginning to brown, turning occasionally, about 5 minutes. Cut toasts diagonally in half. Serve cheese, passing toasts separately.

GOAT CHEESE GRAPE LEAF BUNDLES WITH MELISSA

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine thyme, rosemary, lavender, and savory. Fan out 3 grape leaves on your work surface, vein side up, joining them at their stem ends. Using an ice-cream scoop, place 4 ounces goat cheese in the center, and sprinkle with 1/4 of herb mixture and a grinding of pepper. Wrap leaves over cheese to enclose. Repeat with eight more leaves and remaining cheese. Store remaining leaves in the refrigerator indefinitely.
• Place bundles in a shallow dish or jar, and just add enough oil to cover. Cover with plastic wrap or lid, and refrigerate for at least 24 hours and up to 3 weeks.
• Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Remove bundles from oil, and drain well on paper towels. Place on grill, folded side down, until leaves are slightly browned, about 3 minutes. Carefully turn over bundle (cheese will be soft and capable of seeping out), and repeat.
• Serve bundles warm atop mixed greens tossed with lemon and olive oil. Open leaves slightly to reveal the fresh herbs. Garnish with olives and bread.

GRAPE LEAVES STUFFED WITH GOAT CHEESE & FIGS

Steps:

• Puree figs with cream or [cream cheese with a little milk] in food processor.
• Transfer to a mixing bowl and whisk in egg and cheese.
• Fold in raisins, pine nuts and cheese.
• Wrap a tablespoon of filling in grape leaves.
• Place in 350 degree oven on a lightly oiled pan and bake until warm, about 15 minutes.