Rolled Stuffed Grape Leaves Recipes

ROLLED STUFFED GRAPE LEAVES

Steps:

• 1. If you're using fresh grape leaves, prepare them for use by dipping them in boiling water for about 30 seconds.
• 2. If you're grinding your own lamb do it with the course blade on your grinder.
• 3. Mix the ground lamb and rice, and season with salt & pepper, and cinnamon
• 4. Cut the stem away from each grape leaf and spread them out on a flat work surface.
• 5. Place about a teaspoon of the meat and rice stuffing across each leaf about 1/2 inch up from the stem point.
• 6. Roll the leaf toward the stuffing and then fold the edges over the top. Continue rolling until tight. Repeat for all the grape leaves and stuffing. Don't worry if it looks like there isn't enough stuffing. Remember, the rice is raw and will expand as it cooks.
• 7. Put enough plain grape leaves and or scraps in the bottom of a large pot (5 Qt.).
• 8. Place the rolled grape leaves neatly in a layer on top of the leaves lining the bottom of the pot. Repeat this until all the rolls are in the pot. Make sure you save enough leaves to cover the top layer
• 9. Crush and pound the garlic with the mint until well combined and salt to taste. Mix with water and lemon juice and pour over the rolls in the pot. Cover with grape leaves and pieces. I like to thinly slice a fresh lemon and put the slices on top.
• 10. Invert a plate that is a little smaller than the diameter of the pot on top of the rolls to keep them down in the pot. Cover the pot.
• 11. Bring to a boil, then cook for 1 hour on LOW heat. You can add more water if needed. Continue to steam until grape leaves are soft and can be pierced easily with a fork. Don't let them overcook or they will fall apart.
• 12. You can serve hot or they can be eaten cold. You can use more or less of the lemon, mint, and garlic to suit your own taste.

LEBANESE STUFFED GRAPE LEAVES

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl, mix together the ground beef, rice, garlic powder, allspice, salt, pepper, and cinnamon, and set aside.
• Rinse grape leaves several times. If the leaves are small, leave them intact, but cut out the large center vein. If the leaves are large, cut them in half vertically, cutting out the large vein in the process. Place a small amount of the ground meat mixture at the end of each leaf. Roll up egg-roll style.
• Pour the oil into the bottom of a large Dutch oven. Lay the chops over the oil. Lay the tomato slices over the chops.
• Place the stuffed grape leaves seam-side down on top of the chops. Pack the leaves tightly and begin a second layer when necessary. Place whole garlic cloves randomly between the rolled leaves; plenty of garlic on each layer.
• When you are done stacking, pour the lemon juice over the leaves, and add water to the pot to about 2-inches above the rolled leaves. To prevent the leaves from unrolling during cooking, place a plate on top of the stack of leaves and place a heavy object on top of the plate.
• Simmer the leaves over low heat for about 2 hours.
• Invert the entire Dutch oven into a large platter with high sides (i.e. a 12-inch round cake pan). Or, remove the leaves from the pot with tongs. Serve rustic style, with plenty of Arabic bread on which to spread the garlic!

MY OWN FAMOUS STUFFED GRAPE LEAVES

Steps:

• In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, saute the rice, onion, dill, and mint for about 5 minutes, or until onion is soft. Pour in 1 quart of broth, reduce heat to low and simmer for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until rice is almost cooked. Stir in 1/2 of lemon juice and remove from heat.
• Take one leaf, shiny side down, and place 1 teaspoon of the rice mixture at the bottom (stem) end of the leaf. Fold both sides of the leaf towards the center, roll up from the broad bottom to the top, and place into a 4-quart pot. Repeat with all leaves, leaving no gaps as leaves are placed in pot (to prevent from opening while cooking). Sprinkle with remaining lemon juice and with olive oil.
• Pour chicken broth over all to cover grape leaves. Cover pot and simmer for about 1 hour (do not boil, because this will make the stuffing burst out of the leaves). Remove from heat, remove cover and let cool for 1/2 hour. Transfer to serving dish and serve.

GRAPE LEAVES

Steps:

• Mix the ground beef and ground pork. Add the rice, dill, both onions, garlic powder, salt and pepper, and then mix.
• Make a puree by first melting some butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Then add enough olive oil and tomato puree until the sauce is orange-red in color. Stir over medium heat but do not boil. Add enough of the puree to the meat so that it is moist but not soupy. Let cool, about 20 minutes.
• Cover the bottom of a large saucepan with a layer of grape leaves. De-stem the remaining leaves and place vein-side up on your work surface. Place about 3 ounces of meat filling on each leaf and roll them up. Once you have rolled all your grape leaves, stack them in a circular pattern in the pan. Add a little lemon juice, some olive oil and enough water to just cover the top of your last stack. Cover and let simmer for about an hour.

DOLMAS (STUFFED GRAPE LEAVES)

Steps:

• Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Saute onions until tender. Stir in rice and hot water to cover. Cover and simmer until rice is half cooked, about 10 minutes.
• Remove from heat and stir in tomato paste, currants, pine nuts, cinnamon, mint leaves, dill weed, allspice and cumin. Let mixture cool.
• Prepare a large pot by placing an inverted plate on the bottom; this protects the dolmas from direct heat when steaming.
• Rinse grape leaves in warm water; drain and cut off any stems. Place about 1 teaspoon of the cooled rice mixture in the center of a leaf. Fold in the sides and then roll into a cigar shape. Place in prepared pot. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
• Pour in just enough warm water to reach the bottom of the first layer of dolmas. Cover and simmer over low heat for 30 to 45 minutes, or until rice is totally cooked. Check the water level often and add more as necessary.