Stuffed Grape Leaves And Grecian Lemon Sauce Recipes

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.

STUFFED GRAPE LEAVES WITH EGG LEMON SAUCE

Steps:

• Mix all the ingredients for the filling.
• Pick out the smallest leaves in the jar and set aside. Use some of these leaves to place a single layer on the bottom of a 2-quart dutch oven.
• Cut the stems off the grape leaves.
• Place a leaf on the counter, bottom side up, stem end toward you.
• Place 1 teaspoon of the filling in the center of the leaf. Fold the stem end over the filling, then fold the sides over to secure the filling, then roll from you toward the tip of the leaf.
• Do not wrap too tightly as the rice will expand as it cooks.
• Place the rolled leaves on top of the single layer in the bottom of the pot.
• Cover them with a layer of unrolled leaves, then add another layer of rolled leaves. Continue layering stuffed leaves and then top with the remaining unrolled leaves.
• Place a medium plate over the top of the leaves as a weight.
• Mix the chicken stock and lemon juice for the broth and pour over the leaves in the pot.
• Cover and bring to a light simmer. Cook 1 hour.
• Remove the pan from the heat and allow it to cool for 1 more hour. Do not remove the lid or the leaves will darken.
• Serve warm with Egg-Lemon Sauce on top.
• Egg Lemon Sauce.
• Heat chicken stock in a saucepan.
• In a separate pan, melt butter and mix in flour.
• Add butter/flour mixture to stock to thicken.
• Whip eggs, lemon juice and water together in a bowl until frothy.
• Add egg mixture to thickened stock, stirring constantly.
• Warm the mixture, but do not boil, continuing to stir until thick.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.

STUFFED GRAPE LEAVES WITH EGG-LEMON SAUCE BY SY

Steps:

• GRAPE LEAVES DIRECTIONS: Sauté onions and celery with 1 tablespoon butter, until wilted In a big bowl add ground meat, onion and celery, rice, mint, parsley, pine nuts (optional) and salt & pepper; mix well!
• Remove grape leaves from the jar and open up onto a big plate.
• Remove one leaf (the bigger the better) and place onto a flat surface; with the 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 right side as you roll) toward the top of the leaf.
• Make sure you do not put to much filling in each one.
• Then place them in a Corningware dish or sauce pan as noted below.
• In a large Corningware dish (or saucepan) grease the bottom with a little oil and then line the bottom with some of the smaller grape leaves.
• Place some of the smaller grape leaves in the dish/pan.
• Put into the dish/pan the rolled grape leaves and arrange in layers with each grape leaf close together.
• Add chicken stock, juice of 1 lemon, dry wine and remaining tablespoons of butter.
• In order to prevent the grape leaves from opening up during cooking, place a small flat Corningware plate on top of the grape leaves.
• Then place the Corningware glass cover upside down and onto the small flat plate.
• Cook, simmer on a low heat for about 1 hour.
• While cooling make the Egg-Lemon Sauce; See directions below.
• Place several grape leaves on a dish and then pour some of the hot Egg-Lemon Sauce on top.
• Serve with lemon wedges on the side.
• EGG-LEMON SAUCE DIRECTIONS: Lightly beat 2 egg yolks with 1/4 cup water.
• Squeeze juice from 2 lemons and add water for a total of 3/4 cup liquid.
• Add salt.
• Heat oil in a small pan and then add the cornstarch stirring; add a little of the lemon juice/water to prevent it from becoming lumpy.
• Next add a little of the lemon juice/water until smooth, then gradually add all the liquid and continue stirring until smooth.
• Remove from the heat for about 1 minutes.
• Then gradually add the beaten egg yolks stirring/whisk until smooth (Keep in mind that heating will cause the eggs to set, which you don't want to do).
• NOTE: The next day the grape leaves will taste even better, when heated up in a frying pan and then served with the Egg-Lemon Sauce.
• Or Microwave the grape leaves with some of the Egg-Lemon Sauces on top, prior to heating.

MEAT-STUFFED GRAPE LEAVES WITH YOGURT SAUCE (ADAPTED FROM NANCY HARMON JENKINS THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET COOKBOOK)

Steps:

• In a large saucepan of boiling water scald 36 grape leaves in batches. Use a slotted spoon to remove leaves, then plunge them into a bowl of ice-water. When cool enough to handle, cut off stems. Pat leaves dry and place shiny-side down on paper towels while you prepare filling.
• In a skillet, heat onion and oil over medium heat, stirring, until tender. Spoon onion and oil into a small bowl. In same skillet cook lamb, breaking apart clumps with a fork, until lamb is no longer pink. Pour lamb into a sieve to drain fat. In skillet combine lamb, onion and rice. Stir to coat rice with juices. Add tomatoes and 1/4 cup of the stock and cook 10 minutes, or until rice has absorbed liquids. Stir in allspice, herbs and season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover and let sit 10 minutes.
• In center of grape leaf place 1 teaspoon of lamb mixture and fold sides over; roll up into a tight cylinder. Repeat with remaining leaves. In bottom of a large casserole, arrange 2 layers of stuffed leaves and sprinkle with lemon juice. Pour remaining broth over stuffed leaves to cover. (Add more water if necessary.) Top with a weighted heat-proof plate to submerge stuffed leaves. Bring casserole to a simmer over medium heat, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 35 minutes, or until rice is tender. Serve stuffed grape leaves hot with a spoonful of Yogurt sauce.
• Yogurt Sauce: In a cheesecloth-lined sieve set over a bowl let 1 1/2 cups yogurt drain overnight, refrigerated. Chop 2 garlic cloves with salt to taste until it forms a paste. In a small bowl, combine yogurt and garlic paste, stirring well to mix. Yield: About 1 cup.;

GREEK STUFFED GRAPE LEAVES

Steps:

• Drain grape leaves and rinse very well under cold running water. Allow to soak in fresh water for at least 1 hour.
• Place 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in an 8-by-8 by 2-inch glass or ceramic dish. Cook, uncovered, at 100 percent power in a high-power oven for 2 minutes. Stir in onion and garlic. Cook, uncovered, for 2 minutes.
• Stir in rice, mint and 1 cup of the water. Cover tightly with microwave plastic wrap. Cook for 10 minutes. Prick plastic to release steam.
• Remove from oven and uncover. Allow to cool slightly.
• Place one grape leaf outside down on work surface. Remove stem with a small knife. Place 1 rounded teaspoon of the rice mixture in the center of the leaf. Fold the sides to the center and roll up. Place, seam side down in an 11-by-7 by 2 1/2-inch glass dish. Repeat with remaining rice mixture and leaves.
• Pour remaining water and 1/2 cup of the lemon juice over the grape leaves. Cover and cook for 18 minutes. Prick plastic to release steam.
• Remove from oven and uncover. Allow to stand until cool. Pour over remaining 1/4 cup olive oil and remaining 1/4 cup lemon juice. Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours.