Best Dolma Stuffed Grape Leaves Recipes

DOLMA (STUFFED GRAPE LEAVES), IRAQI-STYLE

Steps:

• Soak grape leaves in water for 20 minutes. Drain.
• Peel and slice carrots lengthwise and line bottom of pot with them. This helps keep the grape leaves from sticking to the pot.
• Soak rice in hot water for 10 minutes and drain. In a large bowl, combine rice, beef, onion, garlic, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and all spices.
• Place each grape leaf shiny side down with stem end toward you on a flat surface. Cut off stem. Place 1 tbsp of rice mixture on leaf near the stem end. Roll top over once, fold ends in, and continue to roll completely (rolling away from you). Repeat with remaining leaves.
• Arrange rolled grape leaves in pot seam side down, tightly packed. Place each layer in opposite direction of previous layer, in a criss-cross fashion. For even cooking, try to have no more than 4 layers.
• Combine lemon juice and oil and pour over grape leaves. Top with water until approximately 1" below top layer.
• Place large plate on top, and place a heavy weight on plate (a foil-wrapped brick works great).
• Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, until rice is thoroughly cooked. Allow to rest for 20-30 minutes.
• Serve with lemon wedges or Greek yogurt. Enjoy!

STUFFED GRAPE LEAVES (DOLMA) WITH EGG-LEMON SAUCE (AVGOLEMONO)

Steps:

• DOLMA DIRECTIONS:.
• Saute onions and celery with 1 tablespoon butter until wilted. In a large bowl, add ground lamb, onions, celery, rice, mint sauce, parsley, salt and pepper. Mix well.
• Remove grape leaves from jar and open up onto a large plate.
• Remove one leaf (the bigger the better) and place onto a flat surface with shiny side down.
• Place a small amount of the filling toward the stem side of the leaf and then roll up (tuck in the left and the right side as you roll) towards the top of the leaf.
• Make sure you do not put too much filling in each one.
• Grease the bottom of a Corningware dish or Saucepot with a little oil or Pam, and then line the bottom with some of the smaller grape leaves that you did not use as rollups.
• Place into the dish/pot the rolled grape leaves close together and arrange in layers.
• Add chicken stock, lemon juice, wine or sherry, and remaining tablespoons of butter.
• In order to prevent the grape leaves from opening up during cooking, place a small flat Corningware plate or lid on top of the grape leaves.
• Then place Corningware glass cover onto the Corningware pot.
• Simmer on low for about 1 hour.
• After the 1 hour, set aside to cool.
• While cooling, make the egg-lemon sauce.
• After the sauce is made and you have drained the stuffed grape leaves by holding the lid in place and pouring the liquid into the sink, place several stuffed grape leaves on a dish and pour some hot egg-lemon sauce on top and serve.
• EGG-LEMON SAUCE DIRECTIONS:.
• Lightly beat 2 egg yolks with 1/4 cup of water.
• In a measuring cup, place 2 or 3 tablespoons lemon juice and add enough water for a total of 3/4 cup of liquid. Add 1/4 teaspoon salt.
• Heat 2 tablespoons peanut oil in a small pot and then add the cornstarch, stirring. Add a little of the lemon juice and water mixture to prevent it from becoming lumpy.
• Next, add a little more of the lemon juice and water mixture until smooth, and then add the rest of the lemon juice and water mixture and continue stirring until smooth.
• Remove from the heat for about 1 minute.
• Gradually add the beaten egg yolk mixture, stirring with a whisk until smooth. (Keep in mind that heating will cause the eggs to set, which you do NOT want to do.).
• NOTE: If you have any stuffed grape leaves leftover, you can heat them in a frying pan the next day and serve with the egg-lemon sauce. Or microwave the stuffed grape leaves with some egg-lemon sauce on top, prior to heating.

GREEK DOLMA AKA STUFFED GRAPE LEAVES

Steps:

• Because these leaves are packed in brine it is important to rinse them well in warm water before using.
• Separate the most perfect leaves from those which are imperfect.
• Line the bottom of a glass baking dish with the imperfect leaves.
• It is okay to line several layers.
• These imperfect leaves act as a cushioning layer for the stuffed rolls and will be discarded after baking.
• Mix stuffing ingredients thoroughly.
• Place a grape leaf vein side up and stem end toward you on the counter. Near the base put 1 heaping teaspoon of stuffing.
• Fold both sides over stuffing and roll up from the base end to the tip.
• It is important to roll them tightly so that they don't become unrolled while cooking them.
• Lay the rolls very close to each other in rows.
• It is okay to make several layers if necessary.
• Pour in warm water that will barely cover the first layer.
• .
• Cover dish and bake in oven at 350 degrees about 45 minutes.

DOLMA (STUFFED GRAPE LEAVES)

Steps:

• Sauté onions in olive oil in pan, add rice and add hot water to cover.
• Cover and simmer until rice is half cooked, about 10 minutes.
• Turn off heat, add tomato paste, currants, nuts, and spices. Let mixture cool.
• To prep the grape leaves, rinse in warm water and remove the stems.
• When rice mixture is cool, place 1 teaspoon or less in center of leaf, fold in right and left sides, then roll the leaf until you have a tiny 'cigar'.
• Place the dolma in a steamer pot.
• Repeat until all grape leaves and/or stuffing is finished.
• Add water to steamer cover and simmer for 30-45 minutes or until the rice inside the dolma is totally cooked.
• Traditionally this is served cold.
• Squeeze lemon over the dolma immediately before serving.

DOLMA (STUFFED GRAPE LEAVES), IRAQI-STYLE

Steps:

• Soak grape leaves in water for 20 minutes. Drain.
• Peel and slice carrots lengthwise and line bottom of pot with them. This helps keep the grape leaves from sticking to the pot.
• Soak rice in hot water for 10 minutes and drain. In a large bowl, combine rice, beef, onion, garlic, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and all spices.
• Place each grape leaf shiny side down with stem end toward you on a flat surface. Cut off stem. Place 1 tbsp of rice mixture on leaf near the stem end. Roll top over once, fold ends in, and continue to roll completely (rolling away from you). Repeat with remaining leaves.
• Arrange rolled grape leaves in pot seam side down, tightly packed. Place each layer in opposite direction of previous layer, in a criss-cross fashion. For even cooking, try to have no more than 4 layers.
• Combine lemon juice and oil and pour over grape leaves. Top with water until approximately 1" below top layer.
• Place large plate on top, and place a heavy weight on plate (a foil-wrapped brick works great).
• Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, until rice is thoroughly cooked. Allow to rest for 20-30 minutes.
• Serve with lemon wedges or Greek yogurt. Enjoy!