Recipe for Dolmades – Greek Stuffed Grape Leaves
Grecian cuisine is heavily influenced by the Middle East thanks to centuries of migrations and invasions. Dolmas (stuffed vegetable) are originally a Middle Eastern dish, but dolmades (stuffed grape leaves) are a common appetizer in any Greek restaurant or deli. The can also be served as a cold entrée or hot with avgolemono sauce, if desired.
Greek Stuffed Grape Leaves with Rice (Dolmades) Recipe Ingredients:
- 1 cup olive oil
- 1 lb. chopped onion
- 1 cup uncooked rice
- 2 tablespoons dill or mint
- 1 cup hot water
- 2 tablespoons (optional) pine nuts
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 50 to 60 fresh or jarred grape leaves
- 1 lemon
Directions to Make Dolmades:
Heat 1/2 cup olive oil, in a frying pan and sauté the onions until soft. Add rice and cook, covered, for 5 minutes. Add all remaining ingredients, except grapevine leaves, lemon and 1/2 cup olive oil. Simmer for 5 minutes. Cool.
Rinse the grapevine leaves in cold water. If fresh, drop them in boiling water and boil for 3 minutes. Strain and rinse in cold water.
In the center of each leaf, shiny surface of leaf down-wards, place a heaped teaspoon of the filling. Fold ends of leaf over the filling and roll it up. (Do not roll too tightly as the rice will swell).
Cover the bottom of a shallow saucepan with vine leaves and place “dolmathakia” side by side in layers. Sprinkle with lemon juice. Next, add 1/2 cup olive oil and 1 1/2 cups hot water. Place a plate over “dolmathakia” to prevent them from opening, cover and simmer over a low heat for about 1 hour. Allow to cool in the saucepan.
** This recipe contains olive oil, so this recipe won’t be suited for a strict fast.
Categorized in: Authentic Greek Food Recipes, Greek Orthodox Fasting Lenten Recipes, Greek Vegan Food Recipes, Recipes for Greek Appetizers
This post was written by Greek Boston
