Goat Cheese Wrapped in Vine Leaves
- 18 grape vine leaves, rinsed and dried*
- 1 log soft, young goat cheese, cut into 6 rounds **
- 3 roasted red peppers, recipe follows
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- *Jars of brined vine leaves can be purchased at gourmet stores and at Middle Eastern or Mediterranean specialty stores. (Fresh leaves aren't pliable enough to tightly seal the cheese filling.)
- **Goat cheese may also be labeled as chevre.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Overlap 3 grape leaves, vein side facing up, to form a solid circle (see Cook's Note*).
- Place the goat cheese round in the center of the circle.
- Use 2 roasted pepper strips to wrap around the cheese.
- Carefully wrap the leaves snugly around the cheese.
- Repeat with remaining leaves, cheese and pepper strips.
- Over high heat, cook the leaf bundles in olive oil for 1 minute on 1 side in an oven-safe skillet.
- Turn the bundles and cook for 1 minute more.
- Place the pan in the oven for approximately 3 minutes.
- To serve, place vine leaf bundle in the center of a large plate.
- Open up the leaves and drizzle with olive oil.
- Serve with crackers or bread.
- Cook's Note: Vine leaves should be thoroughly rinsed and dried before using; otherwise, they're too "briny" and brittle.
- It's important that the leaves completely overlap, with no holes, to prevent leakage of the filling.
- 3 large red peppers
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Place the red peppers on a baking sheet.
- Roast in the oven on the top rack for 35 to 40 minutes, turning occasionally, or until the skin is blistered and charred.
- Immediately transfer the hot peppers to a small bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap.
- When the peppers are cool enough to handle, peel off the skin and remove the stem and seeds.
- Cut into 1-inch wide strips.
vine, goat cheese, red peppers, olive oil, also
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/goat-cheese-wrapped-in-vine-leaves-recipe.html (may not work)