Dolma Recipe (Stuffed Grape Leaves)
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
1 hr
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Cook Time
45 mins
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Total Time
1 hr 45 mins
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Servings
8 servings
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Calories
270 kcal
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Course
Appetizer
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Cuisine
Mediterranean, Turkish
Dolma Recipe (Stuffed Grape Leaves)
Description
To prepare Dolmas, finely chopped onion is sautéed in olive oil until translucent. Short grain rice is then added and cooked briefly before mixing in tomato paste, cinnamon, dried mint, sugar, pine nuts, parsley, and salt. Boiling water starts the rice cooking process, which continues during the rolling and simmering stages.
The filling is placed on individual grape leaves, which are folded and rolled tightly to maintain their shape during cooking. The dolmas are arranged snugly in a pot layered over reserved grape leaves, covered with oil, and simmered gently to finish cooking the rice and meld flavors. This technique produces tender yet intact stuffed leaves with a balanced, herbaceous taste combined with subtle sweetness and warm spice.
Typically served cold or at room temperature, dolmas are often accompanied by plain yogurt. They can be prepared in advance and stored refrigerated for up to a week or frozen for up to three months. Reheating should be done gently to preserve texture and prevent the rolls from opening.
When selecting grape leaves, use short or medium grain rice to prevent the filling from expanding excessively. Rolling tightly and placing a plate on top during cooking helps keep the dolmas intact. Leftover grape leaves can be frozen for later use.
Ingredients
- 1 jar grape leaves
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 onion 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
- water boiling
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
- Use short or medium grain rice like jasmine; avoid basmati as it elongates and may poke out of the leaves.
- Do not overstuff the grape leaves since the filling expands during cooking; roll tightly to keep shape.
- Place a plate over the dolmas while cooking to prevent them from opening.
- Vegetarian dolmas are served cold or at room temperature, often with plain yogurt.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container refrigerated for up to 7 days.
- Freeze leftover dolmas in freezer bags for up to 3 months; reheat gently in microwave or saucepan with water.
- Use an entire jar of grape leaves at once; freeze extra leaves for future use.
- Seven spice seasoning can be added for extra flavor.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition 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% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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