Name: Vine leaf mozzarella parcels with anchovy, lemon and grilled grapes
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 18 brined vine leaves, rinsed, for wrapping (see note); 6 buffalo mozzarella (about 250gm each; see note); 6 anchovy fillets, coarsely chopped; ¼ cup thyme (loosely packed); 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped; Finely grated rind of 3 lemons, plus extra lemon wedges to serve; For drizzling: olive oil; To serve: crusty bread; Grilled grapes with herb dressing; 200 gm seedless red grapes, snipped into small bunches; 125 ml extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling (½ cup); 1 tbsp each coarsely chopped flat-leaf parsley, thyme, rosemary and basil; 1 garlic clove, finely chopped

Vine leaf mozzarella parcels with anchovy, lemon and grilled grapes

Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for Vine leaf mozzarella parcels with anchovy, lemon and grilled grapes

Serves 6

Prep

20M

Cook

15M

Total

35M

Ingredients

18 brined vine leaves, rinsed, for wrapping (see note)

6 buffalo mozzarella (about 250gm each; see note)

6 anchovy fillets, coarsely chopped

¼ cup thyme (loosely packed)

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

Finely grated rind of 3 lemons, plus extra lemon wedges to serve

For drizzling: olive oil

To serve: crusty bread

Grilled grapes with herb dressing

200 gm seedless red grapes, snipped into small bunches

125 ml extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling (½ cup)

1 tbsp each coarsely chopped flat-leaf parsley, thyme, rosemary and basil

1 garlic clove, finely chopped

Method

Main

1.Preheat oven to 120C. Overlap three vine leaves on a work surface to form a circle, top with a mozzarella ball, scatter over some anchovy, thyme, garlic and lemon rind. Drizzle with olive oil, season to taste with pepper, then wrap to enclose. Repeat with remaining vine leaves, mozzarella, anchovies, thyme, garlic and lemon rind to form six parcels.

2.Heat a large char-grill pan over medium heat. Drizzle each parcel with a little olive oil and grill, turning occasionally, until mozzarella is melted (7-10 minutes). Arrange on an oven tray lined with baking paper and place in oven to keep warm.

3.Meanwhile, for grilled grapes with herb dressing, drizzle grapes with a little olive oil and grill, turning occasionally, until golden (3-5 minutes). Whisk remaining oil, herbs and garlic in a bowl, season to taste, add grilled grapes, toss to coat and serve with warm mozzarella parcels, crusty bread and lemon wedges.

Note Brined vine leaves and buffalo mozzarella are available from select delicatessens.
Drink Suggestion: Crisp, dry Italian-ish white such as vermentino. Drink suggestion by Max Allen
Notes