Stuffed Sardines in Grape Leaves

For the stuffing:

• ¼ cup Arborio rice
• ¼ cup pine nuts, lightly toasted
• ¼ cup dried currants
• 3 tbsp chopped parsley
• 1 tbsp chopped mint
• 1 tbsp chopped dill
• Juice of ½ lemon
• Salt
• Pinch of cayenne pepper

For the fish:

• 12 whole sardines, cleaned
• 12 large bottled grape leaves, rinsed in cold water
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Lemon wedges, to serve

1. Cook the rice in a large saucepan of lightly salted boiling water for about 20 minutes, or until just tender. Drain, rinse under cold running water, and drain again.

2. Combine the rice, pine nuts, currants, parsley, mint, dill, and lemon juice. Season with salt and a pinch of cayenne pepper.

3. Divide the stuffing among the sardines, packing firmly into each cavity. Tightly overwrap each sardine with a vine leaf. Brush lightly with the olive oil.

4. Preheat a broiler or build a hot fire in an outdoor grill. Broil or grill the sardines, turning once, for 4-5 minutes, until the sardine flesh is opaque (open one to check). Transfer the fish to a platter. Serve hot, with the lemon wedges.