May 5, 2010

Grape Leaves in Oil
















Fresh grape leaves are in season. You can find them in specialty stores, if you do, you have to have them. I like to get some and freeze because they are much better than the ones in brine. I made some last week I added one chopped jalapeno with the rice and we couldn’t wait to eat the leftover the next day. I’ve taken the liking of jalapenos ever since I moved to Houston, I add it to salads and just about to everything else!!!


Ingredients:




1 pound fresh grape leaves or 1 pound jar in brine

1 bunch parsley trimmed and chopped

1 bunch mint leaves washed and chopped

1 ½ cup short grain rice rinsed and drained

1 onion or 2 scallions chopped

2 medium tomatoes chopped

¼ cup olive oil

1-teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon sweet pepper or allspice

2-lemon juice



Some extra leaves to line the pot



Mix all ingredients except for the leaves. To prepare the leaves, first boil water in a pan. Then boil few leaves at a time for a couple of minutes each and drain. On a cutting board, lay several leaves with veins facing out and fill each with one tablespoon of stuffing fold sides and roll to wrap. In a large pot, layer with some grape leaves. Start layering the leaves until stuffing is finished. Put a dish over the leaves to keep rolled grape leaves down, cover with lemon juice then water until 1-inch cover the leaves. Put over medium heat until liquid starts to boil, add ½ tsp salt. Cook for an hour on a very low heat. Until leaves are soft and rice is done. Leave in pot to cool then invert on a large platter and serve.

Serves 6-8

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