how2heroes » Vegetarian Stuffed Grape Leaves

Entrees » Vegetarian Stuffed Grape Leaves

This version of stuffed grape leaves has amazing flavor and texture without the need for meat. Pine nuts, chick peas, cinnamon & allspice are just a few of the ingredients that bring these stuffed grape leaves to life. The therapeutic process of rolling them gives you the added bonus of putting you in a Zen-like state.

Print Recipe

Serves 6

Ingredients

1 jar grape leaves
4-5 large tomatoes, sliced

Stuffing

2 cups short-grain rice
1 large tomato, chopped
1 cup green onions, minced
6-8 cloves garlic, finely chopped
½ cup pine nuts
½ cup chick peas, crushed
½ cup fresh parsley, chopped
½ cup fresh mint, chopped
¼ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp allspice
1-2 tsp salt
pinch black pepper

How-to

Wash the rice and soak for 1 hour
Rinse grape leaves in cold water
Mix stuffing
Oil the bottom of a Dutch oven and place inside half the sliced tomatoes and garlic
Lay leaves vein-up and place filling in center
Roll the leaves but not too tightly because the rice expands as it cooks
Arrange leaves in perpendicular layers in the pan
Pour in 1 cup of olive oil and add water to just cover the leaves
Place a dish on the leaves to keep them down while cooking
Boil, reduce and simmer for 1½ hours
Add lemon juice and cook an additional 10-15 minutes
Invert the pot and slide leaves onto large platter. Garnish with lemon slices. May be served hot, but best at room temperature or cold