MEDITERRANEAN STUFFED GRAPE LEAVES

For hors d'oeuvres, use 36 leaves and 1 and a half tablespoons of filling for each leaf. Serves 12.


FILLING

2 cups vegetable stock or purified water
1 cup brown rice, uncooked
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 pinch salt (optional)
36 grape leaves
1 bunch chives
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice

In a large pot bring the stock or water to a boil, then add the rice and salt. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 45 minutes. Fluff the rice with fork.

In a large bowl, mix together the rice and all the other filling ingredients, tossing thoroughly with a spoon. Rinse the grape leaves and pat dry. Spread the grape leaves out and spoon 1 to 1 and a half tablespoons of the filling on the end of each leaf, and then roll up, folding the outer edges in. Take three 5-inch-long chives and tie them around each stuffed grape leaf. Place the leaves in a small casserole dish and drizzle 1 teaspoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon lemon juice over them. Cover with foil and bake for 10 minutes at 350°F.

Serve warm or cold.

Makes 36 grape leaves, 3 per person.