Exotic Appetizer Recipe

This healthy, easy, exotic Greek treat makes a fine appetizer, but it can also be enjoyed as a side dish with lunch or dinner.

Ingredients - Filling:

• 2 cups vegetable stock or purified water
• 1 cup brown rice
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup grated radish
• 1/3 cup chopped scallions or green onions
• 1/2 cup minced celery
• 3/4 cup chopped fresh mint leaves
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons white wine vinegar
• 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1/3 cup currants or yellow raisins
• 1/4 cup pine nuts
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 pinch salt (optional)
• 1 tablespoon capers
• 36 grape leaves
• 1 bunch chives
• 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions

1. Bring the stock or water to a boil in a large pot. Add the rice and salt.
2. Reduce heat and simmer, covered with a tight-fitting lid, for 45 minutes.
3. All the water should be absorbed.
4. Fluff the rice with fork.

1. Mix together the rice and all the other filling ingredients in a large bowl, tossing thoroughly with a spoon.
2. Rinse the grape leaves. Spread the grape leaves out and spoon 1 � tablespoons of the filling on the end of each leaf, and then roll up, folding the outer edges in.
3. Take three 5-inch-long chives and dip briefly in boiling water to make them more pliable.
4. Tie them around each stuffed grape leaf.
5. Place the leaves in a small casserole dish and drizzle 1 teaspoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon lemon juice over them.
6. Cover with foil and bake for 10 minutes at 350� F. Serve warm or cold.

Makes 36 grape leaves - 3 per person.

Tips:

Grape leaves are not readily available fresh, so you will have to buy them bottled or canned. They are packed in brine, a salty solution that you'll want to rinse off before using. Gently lift the leaves out of the jar, lay them in a bowl, and run them under a soft stream of water, letting the water completely drench the leaves. To dry, lay the leaves in a colander and let them drain, or lay them on a flat surface and pat dry with a clean cloth.