Grilled Grape Leaf Wrapped Salmon Food

GRILLED FROZEN SALMON IN GRAPE LEAVES

Steps:

• Prepare a charcoal grill for medium-high direct and indirect heat: For gas grills (with 3 or more burners), turn all the burners to medium-high heat; after about 15 minutes turn off one of the middle burners. For charcoal grills, bank one chimney starter-full of lit and ashed-over charcoal briquettes to one side of the grill. Set up a drip pan on the other side to avoid flare-ups. (Be sure to consult the grill manufacturer's guide for best results).
• Meanwhile, stir to combine the tomatoes, butter, ouzo, 4 tablespoons of the olive oil, 1 teaspoon of the lemon zest and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a small grill-proof saucepan; set aside.
• Stir to combine the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1 teaspoon lemon zest with the oregano, red pepper flakes and 1 teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Spread the mixture evenly over the flesh side of the salmon fillets.
• Lay one grape leaf veiny-side up on a clean work surface with the tip pointing away from you. Lay another leaf towards the top of the first so they overlap by about 1 inch. Repeat this with 2 more grape leaves if they are big or 3 more if they are small, creating a single line. Lay a salmon fillet on top of the grape leaf nearest you and then holding the leaf roll the salmon up in the overlapping grape leaves. Transfer to a plate and repeat to wrap the remaining salmon fillets.
• Grill the wrapped salmon over direct heat, turning halfway through, until the grape leaves are charred in spots, about 5 minutes. Move to the indirect side of the grill and put the saucepan with the tomatoes over the direct heat. Cover the grill and cook until the tomatoes have burst and the mixture is saucy, and the salmon is firm and opaque throughout, about 12 minutes depending on the thickness of the fish.
• Transfer the wrapped salmon to a serving platter. Stir the herbs into the tomato mixture and spoon over the fish. Serve with rice and a salad.

FLAXSEED-CRUSTED SALMON WITH A GRAPE AND WALNUT SALSA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350˚. Place the walnuts on a sheet pan and cook until lightly toasted, about 8 minutes. Transfer the walnuts to a cutting board and when cool enough to handle, roughly chop and set aside.
• Increase the oven temperature to 400˚. Line a sheet pan with foil. Using paper towels, pat the fish fillets dry. Evenly coat each salmon fillet with 1/2 tablespoon of the mustard. Season the fillets on all sides with salt and pepper and then sprinkle 1/2 tablespoon of the flaxseed on top of each piece of fish, gently pressing them into the flesh. Place the fish on the lined sheet pan and drizzle each fillet with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Transfer to the oven and bake until the fish reaches an internal temperature of 125˚, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together the remaining 4 tablespoons olive oil, the vinegar and honey. Season with a pinch of salt and a twist of black pepper. Add the walnuts, grapes, parsley and scallions and toss together.
• When the fish is done, remove it from the oven, top each piece with a generous amount of salsa and serve.

GRILLED BANANA LEAF WRAPPED SALMON

Steps:

• Make the dipping sauce: Combine all the ingredients in a bowl. Let it sit for the flavors to develop while the fish cooks.
• Preheat the grill. Squeeze the lime juice into a large bowl and throw in the halves. Add the soy sauce, chiles, ginger, cilantro, and mint; season with salt and pepper and give it a good stir. Place the salmon in the center of the banana leaf and stuff it with the lime juice mixture. Fold the banana leaf over the fish to completely encase it and tie closed with kitchen string. Place onto a medium-hot grill. Cook until the fish is cooked through, about 35 to 40 minutes. Serve with the dipping sauce.

CITRUS SALMON WRAPPED IN BANANA LEAVES

Steps:

• Wash the banana leaves and brush them with a delicate amount of olive oil. Season the salmon with salt and pepper, a little citrus juice and any other desired aromatics. Wrap in the salmon in banana leaves and place in a 350 degree F oven until done (about 7 minutes).

GRILLED GRAPE LEAF-WRAPPED GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat a grill to medium high. Wrap the grape leaves around the cheese to cover it completely; tie with kitchen twine.
• Brush the wrapped cheese with olive oil and grill, turning once, until the leaves begin to char and the cheese is soft, 5 to 8 minutes.
• Meanwhile, mix 1/4 cup olive oil, the rosemary, red pepper flakes and salt to taste in a bowl. Transfer the warm cheese to a serving plate, pour the oil on top and remove the twine. Serve with bread.

GRILLED FETA WRAPPED IN GRAPE LEAVES

Steps:

• Whisk the olive oil, lemon zest, garlic, za'atar and Aleppo pepper in a shallow bowl or small baking dish. Add the feta and spoon the oil over the top. Set aside to marinate 1 hour.
• While the cheese marinates, place the grape leaves in a bowl of room-temperature water and let soak.
• Line a small baking sheet with paper towels. Drain the grape leaves and lay in a single layer on the towels; pat very dry. On a clean surface, overlap the grape leaves slightly to form a square. Place the block of feta in the center (reserve the flavored oil), then fold the grape leaves to cover the cheese like a present.
• Preheat a grill to medium high and prepare for indirect grilling: On a charcoal grill, bank the coals to one side; on a gas grill, turn off half the burners. Toast the pita over direct heat, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Brush the outside of the wrapped feta with some of the reserved oil and place on the cooler side of the grill (indirect heat). Cook until the grape leaves are crisp and slightly charred, 4 to 5 minutes. Flip and move to direct heat; grill until lightly charred on the second side and the cheese is warmed through, about 3 more minutes. Transfer to a board or platter and serve with the pita, olives, walnuts and/or apricots, plus any remaining flavored oil.

GRILLED TROUT WITH GRAPE LEAVES

Steps:

• Seafood Alternatives: small salmon, small bluefish, small Arctic char
• In a medium bowl, combine the cooked rice, lemon juice, olive oil and lemon zest with salt and pepper to taste.
• Preheat a barbecue grill or preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
• Thoroughly rinse the fish inside and out and pat dry with paper towels.
• Spoon the rice mixture into the cavity of each fish.
• Lay 6 grape leaves in a rectangle on the work surface, slightly overlapping so there are no large gaps.
• Set one of the trout on top and wrap the leaves up and over the fish.
• Lay another leaf or two on top of the fish if necessary to fully enclose it.
• If grilling, tie a few pieces of kitchen string around the fish to secure. Repeat with the second fish.
• Brush the grill with oil and cook until the fish is just opaque through (make a small slit through the leaves to check), 4 to 6 minutes on each side.
• Alternatively, put the fish in an oiled baking dish and bake for about 20 minutes.
• Discard the strings and serve.

GRILLED SALMON IN FOIL WITH HERBY GARLIC BUTTER

Steps:

• Prepare a grill for medium heat. Whisk 1 Tbsp. honey, 1½ tsp. Diamond Crystal or 1 tsp. Morton kosher salt, and 1 tsp. finely grated lemon zest in a small bowl to combine. Add 6 garlic cloves, finely chopped, 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter, room temperature, and 2 Tbsp. finely chopped dill and whisk again to combine (some lemon zest may remain separate and that's okay).
• Tear off a large piece of foil according to the length and thickness of salmon (15x15" or larger) and place on a rimmed baking sheet. Place one 1 lb. boneless salmon fillet, preferably skin-on, arranging skin side down if skin is on, in center of foil (the skin will stick slightly to foil and brown while the fish cooks; you want this as it will add to the sauce). Spread garlic butter over fish, then drizzle 3 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice on top. Carefully fold one side of foil up and over fish so lemon juice stays contained, then bring other sides up to meet it and fold together to seal, leaving about a 4" opening on top for steam to escape (this will help sauce reduce a bit).
• Place foil packet on grate and grill fish until opaque throughout and firm, 16-20 minutes. Transfer packet to a cutting board and let fish rest 5 minutes.
• Carefully open foil packet and cut fish in half. Transfer to plates; pour juices from packet over. Drizzle fish with remaining 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice, dividing evenly, and top with more finely chopped dill.