Dolmathes Meat Stuffed Grape Leaves Recipes

DOLMADES (STUFFED GRAPE LEAVES)

Steps:

• To make the filling, coat a large saute pan with 1/4 cup of the oil and place over medium heat. Add the onion, fennel and lemon zest and stir until soft, about 10 minutes. Add the pine nuts and rice, saute for 2 minutes, stirring to coat. Pour in just 1/2 cup of the chicken stock and lower the heat. Simmer until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is al dente, about 10 minutes. Scrape the parboiled rice mixture into a bowl and add the dill and parsley; season with salt and pepper. Allow to cool. Now on to the grape leaves.
• Bring a big pot of water to a simmer. Blanch the grape leaves in the hot water for 5 minutes until pliable. Drain then trim the stems and any hard veins from the leaves. Pat dry with paper towels.
• To assemble the dolmades, lay a grape leaf on a work surface, shiny-side down. Put 2 tablespoons of the rice filling near the stem end of the leaf. Fold the stem end over the filling, then fold both sides toward the middle, and roll up into a cigar ¿ it should be snug but not overly tight because the rice will swell once it is fully cooked. Squeeze lightly in the palm of your hand to secure the roll. Repeat with remaining grape leaves and filling.
• Place the dolmades in a large Dutch oven or wide deep skillet, seam-side down in a single layer. Pour the remaining cup of broth, remaining olive oil, and the lemon juice over the dolmades, the liquid should reach halfway up the rolls, add some water if necessary. Cover the pan and simmer over low heat for 30 to 40 minutes, until the dolmades are tender when pierced with a fork. Serve warm, at room temperature or cool.

GREEK STUFFED GRAPE LEAVES WITH MEAT AND RICE (DOLMADES)

Steps:

• Thoroughly rinse and drain the grape leaves and set aside.
• Prepare a dutch oven by placing several grape leaves on the bottom to form a layer.
• In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients in a bowl, except for the lemon and chicken broth.
• Starting with a grape leave, place a tablespoon of mixture at the top of a leaf. Fold over, fold in sides, and roll!
• Place seam-side down in the pot. Continue in a single layer all the way around the pot, and then build a second layer, until all of the grape leaves are used up.
• Squeeze the juice of the half lemon over the dolmades.
• Pour the chicken broth over the dolmades until they're covered.
• If there is any filling left over, add to the pan.
• Cover the dolmades with a small flat plate to keep them submerged.
• Place a lid on the pot, and bring to a boil. Then lower to simmer and cook for about 50-55 minutes until the dolmades are tender and the rice and meat is cooked through.
• Make the Avgolemono Sauce by beating the two eggs until frothy. Add the lemon juice and beat some more until combined. Add juice from the pot of dolmades to egg/lemon mixture and beat until combined. Then, add the mixture to the pan. Gently shake the pan to distribute the mixture.
• Serve with a Greek Salad and crusty bread for a simple meal, or as a tasty appetizer.

DOLMATHES

Steps:

• Put a pot that is large enough to hold the grape leaves over high heat. Add enough water to cover the leaves and bring to a boil. Add grape leaves and blanch for 5 minutes, drain and set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine: ground beef, rice, sea salt, pepper, onion, olive oil, and dill, mix well.
• Take a knife and cut off the stem of each grape leaf.
• Place about 1 tablespoon of the meat mixture at the bottom of each leaf (ribs up) and fold over the sides of the leaf to cover the mixture. Then roll upwards. Place into a deep pot in layers (should have about 2 layers depending on the size of your pot).
• Once all dolmathes are done, cover the tops of them with any broken grape leaves (if you have them).
• Add the chicken broth, cover dolmathes with a small plate or lid to keep them down and together. Turn heat to medium.
• Bring to simmer, cook on low for about 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is cooked.
• Once cooked, prepare the avgolemono sauce.
• Beat eggs in a bowl for 5 minutes.
• Add lemon juice to the egg mixture and while still beating slowly pour in 1 cup of hot broth from the dolmathes pot into bowl with the eggs - this tempers them so they won't curdle.
• Now, pour egg mixture into pot with dolmathes and slowly mix everything together. Add salt and pepper if desired.
• Bring to simmer, cover, and remove from heat.
• Place a few dolmathes on a plate, pour some avgolemono sauce over them, and serve with lemon wedges!

DOLMADES KASIOTIKI (MEAT-STUFFED GRAPE LEAVES)

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the beef, rice, onion, tomato, 3 Tbs. of the oil, the tomato paste, 2-1/2 tsp. kosher salt, and 1/2 tsp. pepper. Refrigerate, covered, until ready to use.
• Add 6 cups of water to a medium Dutch oven or other heavy-duty pot. Bring the water to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low. Gently unfold and loosen the grape-leaf bunches (don't worry if you can't unfold each bunch completely), add to the water, and simmer until they soften, 10 to 12 minutes.
• Drain the grape leaves, and carefully run under cold water to cool. Transfer the damp leaves to a plate, then cover lightly with a damp kitchen towel to keep moist, reserving any torn leaves. Working with one leaf at a time, slice away any remaining hard stem.
• Put a grape leaf on a work surface smooth side down. Depending on the size of the leaf, the amount of filling can vary from 1 tsp. to 1 Tbs. Put the filling at the stem end of the grape leaf, and roll up from the stem to enclose; it should be plump but not overstuffed. Fold the two sides of the leaf over the filling, and continue rolling from the stem end. Transfer to a baking sheet seam side down, and repeat until you have used all the filling and/or whole grape leaves.
• Line the bottom of a large Dutch oven or other heavy-duty pot with a circle of parchment. Arrange a bed of the reserved torn leaves to cover the parchment (don't worry if you don't have enough leaves). Put the dolmades on top of the torn leaves in a circle, placing them as close together as possible and stacking them in two layers, if necessary.
• Gently pour 1 cup of hot water, the remaining 2 Tbs. oil, and the lemon juice over the dolmades. Cover with another circle of parchment, then cover with a heavy plate to prevent the dolmades from floating while cooking.
• Cover the pot with the lid ajar, and cook over low heat until the rice is cooked through, 45 to 50 minutes.
• Gently remove the dolmades from the pot, and drain on paper towels. Transfer to a platter, and sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Serve warm or at room temperature with the lemon wedges.

DOLMADES (STUFFED GRAPE LEAVES WITH CURRANTS AND PISTACHIO)

Steps:

• Prepare an ice bath. Bring a large pot of water to a boil; add 1 tablespoon salt. Add the grape leaves and gently mix to separate them. Reduce the heat to simmer and cook for 10 minutes. Drain well, plunge into the ice bath and let cool for 2 minutes. Drain well again, separate and lay out on baking sheets lined with paper towels in a single layer. Remove 5 or so of the small or torn leaves and reserve for the bottom of the pan.
• Heat 1/4 cup of the oil in a medium high-sided saute pan over high heat. Add the onion, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring, until the onion is very soft, about 5 minutes; do not allow it to color. Add the rice and cook, stirring constantly, until opaque, about 2 minutes.
• Add the stock, currants and 2 tablespoons of the lemon juice; season with salt and pepper. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, uncovered and stirring a few times, until the rice absorbs the liquid, about 7 minutes. (The rice will only be par-cooked; it will continue to cook in the leaves.) Spread the rice out on a baking sheet to cool.
• When the rice is cooled, stir in the dill, parsley, green onion, pistachios and lemon zest; taste for seasoning.
• Lay a grape leaf on a work surface shiny-side down. Scoop 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons of the filling (depending on the size of the leaf) in your hand and lightly mold it into a log. Put the rice filling near the stem end of the leaf, fold the stem end over the filling, then fold both sides toward the middle and roll up into a cigar. Continue with the remaining leaves and filling.
• Lay the reserved grape leaves on the bottom of a small Dutch oven (this will keep the dolmades from sticking). Tightly fit the dolmades in the pan in a concentric circle, making several layers if needed. Drizzle some of the remaining lemon juice over each layer. Add enough water or stock to just come halfway up the side of the rolls (do not cover them) and drizzle with the remaining olive oil and a pinch of salt.
• Cut out a round of parchment to fit over the dolmades. Place a plate on top of the parchment and a bowl on top of the plate (to hold the rolls down while cooking). Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce to a simmer, cover the pot and cook (making sure it is simmering and not boiling), until the rice is cooked through, about 30 minutes. Remove from the heat and let sit, covered, for 10 minutes longer.
• Carefully remove the rolls to a serving dish. Serve warm, at room temperature or cold.

DOLMATHES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Saute onions until tender. Stir in rice and brown slightly. Add 3 1/2 cups water, and half of the lemon juice. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes, or until all liquid is absorbed and rice is tender. Stir in dill, parsley and pine nuts.
• Remove stems from grape leaves and place 1 tablespoon of rice mixture in the center. Fold in the sides and roll tightly. Place, folded side down, in a baking dish and cover with remaining olive oil, lemon juice and enough water to cover 1/2 of the dolmathas.
• Cover with aluminum foil and bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes.

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.

DOLMADES: STUFFED GRAPE LEAVES

Steps:

• In a large saute pan over medium high heat, heat 1/4-cup olive oil. Add the onions and saute until translucent, about 6 minutes. Add the garlic and pine nuts and saute for 2 minutes. Transfer to a large mixing bowl and allow to cool slightly. Add the rice, salt, raisins, mint and juice of 1 lemon to the bowl with the onion mixture and mix well. Set aside.
• Bring a medium pot of water to a simmer. Remove the grape leaves from the jar and drop them in batches of 4 or 5 into the hot water. Quickly remove them from the water and spread flat on a towel-lined work surface. Cut the stem from each grape leaf, as needed. (NOTE: Fresh grape leaves also need to be blanched for 1/2 minute.)
• To assemble the dolmades, place 1 grape leaf on the work surface, dull side (or underside) of the leaf up. Place 1 to 2 teaspoons of rice filling near the stem end of the leaf. Fold the stem (bottom) end up over the filling, fold the sides toward the filling in the center, then roll up the leaf into a small cylindrical package, being careful not to fold too tightly, as the rice will expand during cooking.
• Place the dolmades in a large Dutch oven or wide saute pan, seam side down. Combine the remaining cup of olive oil and juice of 1 lemon, and pour over the dolmades. Cover with a heavy plate or baking dish and add water to cover to the level of the plate. Bring to a boil, lower heat, and simmer for 1 hour, or until rice is tender.
• Serve at room temperature, with Kicked Up Tzatziki as a dipping sauce.
• In a medium bowl combine all the ingredients and chill for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to marry.
• Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight jar or container.
• Recipe from New New Orleans Cooking, by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch. Published by William and Morrow, 1993.

DOLMADES - AUTHENTIC GREEK STUFFED GRAPE LEAVES W/ MEAT (SOUTHER

Steps:

• Unroll grape leaves and place in a pot of boiling water. Reduce heat to medium and let boil for 10 minutes. Remove from heat, pour out hot water, and cover leaves with cold water. Let soak while preparing stuffing.
• Knead the rest of the ingredientes together. Spoon filling inside a leaf and roll like a burrito, sealing completely.
• In large pot, add olive oil to cover bottom or butter. Arrange rolled dolmades on top. Do this all at once, not as you roll them. Pour chicken broth over dolmades, cover, and simmer for 2 hours.
• Serve with Greek yogurt and lemon wedges.

MUM'S DOLMATHES (STUFFED GRAPE LEAVES)

Steps:

• Put the onions in a bowl with water and let them stand for 10 minutes. Wash them well and drain.
• Wash and drain the rice.
• Add in a bowl the rice, onions, the herbs, the seasonings and 1 tablespoon olive oil.
• Rinse the leaves under running water and blanch in boiling water for 2 minutes.
• Place 1 leave on a counter, shiny side down and add 1 teaspoon of the rice filling. Roll but let it loose a lot, because the rice will expand. Continue with all the other leaves.
• Place the dolmathes in a saucepan and add 2 cups of warm water. Add a pinch of salt, and the olive oil. Let it boil and reduce the heat to low. After 10 minutes add 1/2 cup of water and the lemon juice. Simmer for 30 minutes more.
• Serve cold as an appetizer or as a full vegan dinner with a salad.
• Nice served with a dollop of Greek yogurt on top.

DOLMATHES (STUFFED GRAPE LEAVES)

Steps:

• Saute onions in ½ cup olive oil until translucent.
• Wash and drain rice well and add to onion along with 1 cup of water.
• Cook for 10 minutes.
• Add herbs, pine nuts, currants and salt and white pepper to taste.
• Set aside to cool.
• Prep leaves by rinsing well under running water and blanch in boiling water for 2-3 minutes.
• Cut off any tough stems by cutting a V around the stem, and discarding stem.
• Place 1 leaf on flat surface, shiny side down, add 1 teaspoon of filling and roll LOOSELY (as for a tiny eggroll, tucking in sides first and then rolling up), as rice will expand during cooking.
• Place seam side down on bottom of large saucepan which has been covered with a layer of thicker grape leaves (rejects from your jar - they may be very thick, therefore, not tender or torn and not suitable for being used as a wrapper- these protect the dolmathes from scorching).
• Repeat each grape leaf in same manner until all are used, packing them in tight- one next to the other- seam side down.
• Add 1 1/2- 2 cups water, dash salt, 3/4 cup olive oil and the juice of 1 lemon (enough liquid to just cover the dolmathes).
• Cover with a heavy plate to keep dolmathes immersed in liquid, and simmer for 45 minutes, or until rice is cooked.
• Serve cold or at room temperature as a'meze'.
• Nice served with a squeeze of lemon and/or a dollop of greek yogurt on top.
• For Vegan option omit the yogurt.

DOLMATHES (STUFFED GRAPE LEAVES)

Steps:

• Briefly dip grape leaves in boiling water then rinse them with cold water and wipe dry.
• Mix the onions with half the olive oil.
• After a while, mix in the rice, 250mL hot water and the remaining ingredients, except for the oil and the lemon juice.
• Boil the mixture for 4-5 minutes .
• Wrap one tablespoon of the mixture with a grapeleaf and repeat until completed.
• Carefully place the dolmathes in a pot with some space between them.
• Cover the dolmathes with a plate a add the rest of the oil and the lemon juice with 500mL of water.
• Boil at low heat for 30 minutes, until some water is absorbed and the rice is done.
• Serve cold with slices of lemon.

DOLMADES (STUFFED GRAPE LEAVES)

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325 degrees. In a bowl, combine onion, rice, lamb, beef, garlic, parsley, carrot, lemon zest, 1 tablespoon oil, chopped mint, salt, and pepper.
• Place a leaf, vein side up, on a work surface; place about 1 tablespoon filling just below center. Fold bottom of leaf over filling and sides in toward center; roll up. Do not overfill or roll too tightly. Repeat, making 35.
• Lay dolmades, seam side down, in a 9-by-13-inch glass baking pan; do not pack tightly.
• Combine stock and remaining 3 tablespoons oil; pour over dolmades. Squeeze lemon over dolmades, and place lemon slices and mint sprigs on top. Place another 9-by-13-inch baking pan, half full of water, on top to weigh down dolmades.
• Bake for 40 to 50 minutes. Let dolmades cool in cooking liquid, still weighted, for 2 hours. Serve drizzled with olive oil, or refrigerate for up to 2 days; bring to room temperature before serving.

DOLMATHES ( MEAT STUFFED GRAPE LEAVES)

Steps:

• Heat oil in large skillet.
• Add onion and saute until transparent but don't brown.
• Add meat, stirring to break into pieces.
• Add rice,dill,pine nuts, water and tomato paste; season to taste with pepper.
• Cook over medium heat until water is absorbed, about 10 minutes.
• Cover bottom of Dutch oven with layer of the smaller grape leaves and any that get torn in the process of rolling.
• Stuff remaining leaves by placing leaf shiny side down, on the palm of hand, with base of leaf toward wrist and tip of leaf toward middle finger.
• Put a spoonful of meat mixture in the center.
• Fold base of leaf over stuffing, then fold sides of leaf over (like an envelope), tucking edges in snugly.
• Arrange tip side down in pan.
• Add broth to within 1 inch of top layer; use any leftover leaves to cover top layer.
• Place plate upside down over top layer and press.
• Cover and cook over medium heat until rice is tender, about 30 minutes.
• Sprinkle with lemon juice and cook 5 minutes longer.
• Let cool to room temperature, or chill thoroughly.
• Garnish with lemon slices and serve.
• *The stuffed grape leaves can be prepared 2 to 3 days before serving and refrigerated or they may be frozen, If frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then add a little broth or water before gently reheating in a pan.