Dolma Recipe (Stuffed Grape Leaves)

Name: Dolma Recipe (Stuffed Grape Leaves)
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 45 min
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients: 1 jar grape leaves; 2 tbsp olive oil; 2 onions; 1 cup short grain rice; 1 tsp tomato paste; 1/2 tsp cinnamon; 1 tsp dried mint; 1 tsp sugar; 2 tbsp pine nuts; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/3 cup parsley; 1/2 cup vegetable oil; boiling water

User Reviews

5.0

135 reviews

Excellent

Prep Time
1 hr
Cook Time
mins
Total Time
1 hr 45 mins
Servings
8 servings
Calories
270 kcal
Course
Appetizer
Cuisine
Mediterranean, Turkish

Dolma Recipe (Stuffed Grape Leaves)

Isaac Lopez

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An easy recipe for dolma or stuffed grape leaves that's healthy and hearty. Check out the video and tutorial on how to make stuffed grape leaves.

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Ingredients

Servings

1 jar grape leaves
2 tbsp olive oil
2 onions finely chopped
1 cup short grain rice
1 tsp tomato paste
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp dried mint
1 tsp sugar
2 tbsp pine nuts
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup parsley chopped
1/2 cup vegetable oil or olive oil
boiling water

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Instructions

Heat the olive oil in a pan and saute onion until translucent. Add in the rice and cook for just a few minutes.
Then add the tomato paste, cinnamon, dried mint, sugar, pine nuts, parsley and salt. Add in 1/2 cup boiling water. Stir well and cook for about 5 minutes. Turn the heat off.
Reserve 5 or 6 grape leaves to cover the bottom of the pot. Lay flat a grape leaf on a clean surface. Place about 1 tablespoon of the rice mixture on the leaf and then start rolling. To roll, fold in left and right side, then the bottom and then roll tightly into a cigar. Please watch the video for the complete tutorial.
Cover the bottom of a large pot with reserved grape leaves from the jar and place stuffed grape leaves in the pot to cover the bottom.
Layer the dolmas on top of each other and nestle them tightly next to each other to make sure they won't open up when cooking. When all the dolmas are in the pot, pour 1/2 cup vegetable oil over the dolmas. Shake the pot a bit to make sure the oil goes all the way to the bottom of the pot. Gently pour boiling water over the dolmas until it barely covers them.
Place a plate upside down on the stuffed grape leaves and cover with a lid. Place the pot over medium high heat until the water starts simmering. Turn the heat on low and cook covered for about 45 minutes.
To see if the dolmas are cooked, take one out of the pot and let it cool for a minute. Bite it and if the rice is cooked and soft, the dolmas are ready.
Serve cold with some yogurt and lemon.

Notes

You can find grape leaves online or at Mediterranean, Middle Eastern or Turkish stores.
The rice is cooked only halfway when you prepare the filling and will finish cooking when it's stuffed in the grape leaves. Therefore, it's important to use rice that doesn't get too large or long when cooked. I suggest you use short or medium grain rice such as jasmine rice. Avoid basmati rice since it gets longer and longer when cooked and might stick out of the grape leaves.
Don't over stuff the grape leaves since the filling will expand as it cooks. Make sure to roll tightly.
Don't forget to place a plate on the dolmas before turning the heat on. This will keep the stuffed grape leaves intact and will make sure that don't open up.
Vegetarian dolmas are usually served cold or room temperature with some plain yogurt.
Storage: Store the leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 7 days. Dolmas also freeze very well. Store them in a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, you can either use the microwave or heat them in a sauce pan with just a little bit of water.
When you start making this vegetarian dolma recipe, go ahead and use the whole jar of grape leaves. A complete jar of grape leaves gives you more than enough dolmades but you can simply freeze the leftovers and enjoy them later.
You can use seven spice to season the filling.

Nutrition Information

Show Details

Calories 270kcal (14%) Carbohydrates 24g (8%) Protein 2g (4%) Fat 19g (29%) Saturated Fat 12g (60%) Sodium 154mg (6%) Potassium 96mg (3%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 2g (4%) Vitamin A 263IU (5%) Vitamin C 6mg (7%) Calcium 10mg (1%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 270 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories	270kcal	14%
Carbohydrates	24g	8%
Protein	2g	4%
Fat	19g	29%
Saturated Fat	12g	60%
Sodium	154mg	6%
Potassium	96mg	2%
Fiber	1g	4%
Sugar	2g	4%
Vitamin A	263IU	5%
Vitamin C	6mg	7%
Calcium	10mg	1%
Iron	1mg	6%