Dolmades (Ντολμάδες)

Prep time: 45 minutes

Cook time: 40 minutes

Total time: 1 hour 25 minutes

Servings: 6 servings (makes ~30 rolls)

Country of Origin

Greece

Description

Tender grape vine leaves stuffed with a seasoned short-grain rice mixture packed with fresh herbs (dill, mint, parsley), onions, and pine nuts, simmered in a lemon-infused broth.

Presentation & How It's Eaten

Arranged neatly on a platter, drizzled with olive oil and served with lemon wedges or Tzatziki. Eaten cold or at room temperature.

Ingredients

• 30–35 preserved grape leaves in brine (rinsed and drained)

• 1 cup short-grain white rice (uncooked)

• 1 cup extra virgin olive oil (divided)

• 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped

• 1/2 cup scallions, finely chopped

• 1/3 cup fresh dill, finely chopped

• 1/3 cup fresh mint, finely chopped

• 1/4 cup pine nuts

• Juice of 2 lemons

• 1.5 cups water or vegetable stock

• Salt and black pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Sauté Filling Base: Heat 1/2 cup olive oil in a skillet. Add chopped yellow onion, scallions, and pine nuts; sauté for 5 minutes. Stir in uncooked rice, dill, mint, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2 minutes, then remove from heat.

2. Prep Leaves: Lay grape leaves flat on a cutting board, stem side up (vein side facing you).

3. Roll Dolmades: Place 1 tbsp filling near stem end of leaf. Fold stem end up over filling, fold left and right sides straight inward, and roll tightly upward into a small cylinder shape.

4. Pack Pot: Line bottom of a wide pot with torn grape leaves. Arrange stuffed dolmades tightly seam-side down in concentric circles, packing tightly so they don't unroll.

5. Simmer: Pour remaining 1/2 cup olive oil, lemon juice, and water over rolls. Place a heavy heatproof plate upside down on top of dolmades to weigh them down. Cover pot and simmer on low heat for 40 minutes until rice is tender.

Cooking Tips

• Use Inverted Plate: Placing a plate directly on stuffed grape leaves holds them firm during boiling, preventing rolls from floating and unraveling.

Nutrition Facts

(Estimated per serving, 5 rolls)

• Calories: ~320 kcal

• Total Fat: 24g

• Saturated Fat: 3.5g

• Cholesterol: 0mg

• Sodium: ~480mg

• Total Carbohydrates: 25g

• Dietary Fiber: 2.5g

• Sugars: 2g

• Protein: 4g