Goat Cheese Baked In Grape Leaves Recipes

BAKED GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• 1. Cut the Chevre log into 4 equal pieces. Flatten with the heel of your hand to form a patty. Place on a plate. Cover with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator.
• 2. Prepare a medium bowl of ice water to receive the blanched grape leaves.
• 3. Bring a pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the grapes leaves and cook for 1 minute. Remove the leaves from the water with a slotted spoon and place in the ice water.
• 4. Remove the grape leaves from the water and pat dry with paper towels.
• 5. Place one round at the stem end of the grape leaf. If the leaves are small, overlap 2 to create a bigger leaf.
• 6. Grind freshly black pepper over the top. Roll the Chevre up in the leaf, tucking in the sides as you go. Press down lightly when you are finished to secure the leaf. Place the stuffed leaf seam side down on a plate. Repeat with the remaining leaves.
• 7. Place the prepared Chevre on a plate and refrigerate unwrapped. Chevre may be wrapped up to 2 days in advance.
• 8. To bake, heat the oven to 450 degrees F. Place the wrapped Chevre in a pie dish or rimmed baking sheet. Brush the tops lightly with extra virgin olive oil.
• 9. Place in the oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes until the leaves are puffed and the cheese is soft when pressed lightly. Remove from the oven.
• 10. Serve the cheese warm on a plate garnished with pinot noir grape confit. Split the grape leaf with a sharp knife to access the Chevre. The grape leaf can be eaten or the cheese can be scooped out.

GOAT CHEESE WRAPPED IN VINE LEAVES

Steps:

• 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.
• 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.

GOAT CHEESE IN GRAPE LEAVES

Steps:

• Rinse grape leaves in cold water, lay flat on paper towels and allow to drain. Then pat dry.
• Arrange prepared leaves on the work surface and place 1 cheese round in the center of each leaf.
• Sprinkle cheese rounds with 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil and top with sage and plenty of pepper, then wrap with grape leaves into parcels by folding the sides of the leaves inwards. Arrange the stuffed grape leaves seam-side down on plates so that they do not open.

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.

GOAT CHEESE STUFFED GRAPE LEAVES

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a skillet, add the onions and cook over medium heat until the onions are soft and translucent, about 10 minutes.
• Add the garlic and tomato, lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste. Cook for another 5 minutes.
• Stir in the rice.
• Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the dill.
• Set aside to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate.
• Meanwhile drain the grape leaves and carefully pull them apart. Put them into a bowl of cold water. Let them soak until you are ready to roll.
• Heat the oven to 350°F.
• Place a grape leaves on your work surface, shiny side down. Add 1 tablespoon of the rice mixture to the middle of the grape leaf. Along with a thin slice of goat cheese.
• Fold the sides over the rice and roll the leaf into a small log shape, about the size of a cigar.
• Repeat with the remaining rice mixture.
• Place the rolled grape leaves into a casserole dish.
• When all the mixture or cheese is used, cover rolled leaves with several layers of flat grape leaves and pour in 1 cup of chicken stock.
• Cover and bake for 45 minutes.
• Let cool to room temperature and refrigerate.
• Serve well chilled.