Make Your Own Dolmas (Stuffed Grape Leaves) Recipe
Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
---|---|
46 | Calories |
1g | Fat |
8g | Carbs |
1g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
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Servings: 40 | |
Amount per serving | |
Calories | 46 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat 1g | 1% |
Saturated Fat 0g | 1% |
Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
Sodium 458mg | 20% |
Total Carbohydrate 8g | 3% |
Dietary Fiber 1g | 4% |
Total Sugars 0g | |
Protein 1g | |
Vitamin C 2mg | 12% |
Calcium 36mg | 3% |
Iron 0mg | 3% |
Potassium 28mg | 1% |
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. |
Dolmas (also known as stuffed grape leaves, dawali, and dolmades) are eaten throughout the world, all with different variations. They can be found in Mediterranean restaurants, but instead of eating out for this healthy comfort food, make it at home.
This version of dolmas is most closely inspired by the vegetarian rice-stuffed grape leaves of Turkey that are typically eaten cold or at room temperature as an appetizer (meze).
Click Play to See This Stuffed Grape Leaves Recipe Come Together
Ingredients
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1 (16-ounce) jar grape leaves
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2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for drizzling
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1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
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4 cloves garlic, finely minced
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1 tablespoon parsley
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1 tablespoon basil
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1 1/2 cups uncookedwhite rice, long-grain, such as basmati
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1/2 cup pine nuts, raw, optional
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8 cups vegetable broth, divided
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2/3 cups lemon juice, divided, plus more for drizzling
Steps to Make It
Make the Dolmas
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Gather the ingredients.
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Gently remove the grape leaves from their jar, then rinse each thoroughly under cold water, taking care not to rip the leaves. Pat the leaves dry and place on a cutting board.
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Using a small, sharp paring knife, remove the stems from the leaves.
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Cover with a paper towel and set aside.
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In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil, adding the onion, garlic, parsley, and basil once the oil is hot. Stir continuously until the onion is soft and fragrant, about 6 minutes.
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Add the rice and pine nuts and sauté, stirring often, for 3 to 4 minutes longer.
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Add 4 cups of the vegetable broth and bring to a low boil. Turn down the heat to low and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the rice is cooked, adding water if necessary.
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Add 1/3 cup of lemon juice, stirring well to combine, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes longer or until most of the liquid has been absorbed. Remove the pan from heat.
Assemble the Dolmas
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Prepare a dry, clean workspace. Place one of the grape leaves, shiny side down, flat on your work surface. Place 1 to 2 tablespoon of filling on the lower-middle portion of the leaf, right above where the stem used to be.
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Fold in the sides of the leaves over the center.
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Then roll the bottom of the leaf over the filling and continue to roll, holding the sides in, until you've rolled the dolma completely and no filling is visible.
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Place the dolma seam-side down in a large saucepan or pot big enough to fit all of the dolmas in a single layer.
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Repeat until all of the grape leaves are used, placing one dolma directly next to the other and leaving no space in between.
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Drizzle another 1 to 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the dolmas, followed by the remaining lemon juice.
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Pour the remaining 4 cups vegetable broth over the grape leaves to cover.
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Cover the pot and simmer over medium-low heat for 1 hour (do not boil). Add water as necessary to keep them covered.
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Remove the pan from heat, uncover, and let the dolmas cool in the liquid for 20 to 30 minutes.
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Using a slotted spoon, gently transfer the dolmas to a serving dish. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice and serve at room temperature or cold.
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Serve and enjoy!
Tips
- Dolmas can be served on an appetizer platter or as a side to lunch or dinner; they're easy to cook, easy to wrap, and easy to serve, so they're great for big dinners and parties. Don't be intimidated by the steps; once you've made a batch of dolmas once, you'll fly through your next batches.
- When simmering the dolmas, do not bring the liquid to a boil (this will cause the dolmas to burst while cooking).
- Take care to keep the dolmas covered in liquid; if you notice that the tops of the leaves are exposed while simmering, simply add additional broth or water to the pot to cover (this will keep the leaves moist and succulent and will keep them from drying out).
What Does Dolma Mean?
Dolma is a Turkish word and means stuffed thing. This term is not only for stuffed grape leaves but for other leaves and vegetables that are stuffed with rice and meat fillings.
Recipe Variations
- Variations include dolmas with meat or dried fruits, and they can be eaten hot or cold.
- Feel free to experiment with different herbs and nuts in your filling and shake up your meal as a whole. Rice doesn't have to be boring.
- You can experiment with a range of herbs and spices; oregano, mint, and thyme are all good options.
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