Dolmas, also known as stuffed grape leaves, are a delightful and flavorful dish that originated in the Mediterranean region and is enjoyed in many cuisines around the world. These delicate wraps are made with tender grape leaves, stuffed with a fragrant mixture of rice, herbs, spices, and sometimes minced meat or vegetables. Dolmas can be boiled, steamed, or baked, resulting in a tender and aromatic dish that is perfect for appetizers, main courses, or as a side dish. This article presents a collection of dolma recipes that explore different variations and fillings, catering to diverse dietary preferences and taste buds. From classic dolmas filled with rice and ground beef to vegetarian versions featuring lentils, nuts, and herbs, these recipes offer a delightful journey through the world of stuffed grape leaves. Whether you're a seasoned cook or just starting your culinary adventure, these recipes provide step-by-step instructions and helpful tips to ensure your dolmas turn out perfect every time.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
GREEK DOLMADES RECIPE (STUFFED VINE/ GRAPE LEAVES DOLMATHES)
Little bites of heaven! This Greek dolmades recipe (stuffed vine/ grape leaves with rice) is the ultimate vegetarian appetizer! Dolmathes or dolmadakia are made from tender vine leaves wrapped into little rolls and stuffed with rice and fresh herbs.
Provided by Eli K. Giannopoulos
Categories Appetizer
Time 1h20m
Yield 60
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- To make this traditional Greek dolmades recipe (stuffed vine/ grape leaves), start by preparing the vine leaves. For this dolmades recipe, you can either use vine leaves sold in jars or fresh (if you are lucky enough to find them). If you use the ones in jar, rinse the vine leaves, remove the stems and leave them in a colander to drain. If using fresh vine leaves, wash them thoroughly, remove the stems and blanch them in boiling hot water. Remove the leaves with a slotted spoon and place them in a colander to cool down completely.
- Prepare the filling for the stuffed vine/ grape leaves (dolmades). Place the rice in a colander and rinse with running water. Heat a large saucepan over medium heat, add 1/3 of the olive oil and the chopped onions. Sauté the onions, until translucent (but not coloured). Add the rice and sauté for 1 more minute. Pour in 2 cups of warm water and half lemon juice and simmer for about 7 minutes, until the rice absorbs all the water and is parboiled. Season with salt and pepper, stir in the herbs, remove from the stove and set aside to cool down for a while. This will be the filling for the dolmades.
- Layer the bottom of a large pot with some vine leaves (use the ones that are little bit torn) and start rolling the dolmadakia. (This is probably the most difficult part of the traditional dolmades recipe). Place one vine leaf (shiny side down) on a flat surface and add 1 tsp of the filling at the bottom end (stem). Be careful not to overfill the dolmades, as the rice will expand during cooking. Fold the lower section of the leaf over the filling towards the center; bring the two sides in towards the center and roll them up tightly. Place the stuffed vine leaves (fold side down) on the bottom of the pot and top in snugly layers. Be careful not to leave any gaps between the dolmades to prevent them from cracking open when cooking.
- Drizzle the stuffed vine leaves (dolmathes) with the rest of the olive oil and lemon juice and season with salt and pepper. Place an inverted plate on top to hold them down when cooking and pour in enough water just to cover them. Place the lid on and simmer the dolmades for about 30-40 minutes, until the water has been absorbed and the dolmades remain only with the oil.
- Remove the pot from the heat, remove the lid and plate and let the dolmades cool for at least 30 minutes.
- Serve this delicious Greek appetizer cold or at room temperature with a squeeze of a lemon. Give this traditional dolmades recipe a try and enjoy your own fresh homemade stuffed grape leaves (dolmades)!
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 dolma, Calories 42kcal, Sugar 0.4g, Sodium 39.9mg, Fat 3.8g, SaturatedFat 0.5g, UnsaturatedFat 3.1g, TransFat 0g, Carbohydrate 2.2g, Fiber 0.4g, Protein 0.3g, Cholesterol 0mg
DOLMADES (STUFFED GRAPE LEAVES)
Provided by Tyler Florence
Categories appetizer
Time 1h40m
Yield about 30 dolmades
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- To make the filling, coat a large saute pan with 1/4 cup of the oil and place over medium heat. Add the onion, fennel and lemon zest and stir until soft, about 10 minutes. Add the pine nuts and rice, saute for 2 minutes, stirring to coat. Pour in just 1/2 cup of the chicken stock and lower the heat. Simmer until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is al dente, about 10 minutes. Scrape the parboiled rice mixture into a bowl and add the dill and parsley; season with salt and pepper. Allow to cool. Now on to the grape leaves.
- Bring a big pot of water to a simmer. Blanch the grape leaves in the hot water for 5 minutes until pliable. Drain then trim the stems and any hard veins from the leaves. Pat dry with paper towels.
- To assemble the dolmades, lay a grape leaf on a work surface, shiny-side down. Put 2 tablespoons of the rice filling near the stem end of the leaf. Fold the stem end over the filling, then fold both sides toward the middle, and roll up into a cigar ¿ it should be snug but not overly tight because the rice will swell once it is fully cooked. Squeeze lightly in the palm of your hand to secure the roll. Repeat with remaining grape leaves and filling.
- Place the dolmades in a large Dutch oven or wide deep skillet, seam-side down in a single layer. Pour the remaining cup of broth, remaining olive oil, and the lemon juice over the dolmades, the liquid should reach halfway up the rolls, add some water if necessary. Cover the pan and simmer over low heat for 30 to 40 minutes, until the dolmades are tender when pierced with a fork. Serve warm, at room temperature or cool.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 84 calorie, Fat 6 grams, SaturatedFat 1 grams, Cholesterol 0 milligrams, Sodium 302 milligrams, Carbohydrate 8 grams, Fiber 0.5 grams, Protein 2 grams, Sugar 1 grams
DOLMAS (STUFFED GRAPE LEAVES) RECIPE
Steps:
- Gather the ingredients.
- 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.
- Using a small, sharp paring knife, remove the stems from the leaves.
- Cover with a paper towel and set aside.
- 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.
- Add the rice and pine nuts (if using) and sauté, stirring often, for 3 to 4 minutes longer.
- 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.
- Add 1/3 cup of the 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.
- Prepare a dry, clean workspace. Place one of the grape leaves, shiny side down, flat on your work surface. Place 1 to 2 tablespoons of filling on the lower-middle portion of the leaf, right above where the stem used to be.
- Fold in the sides of the leaves over the center.
- 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.
- Place the dolma seam-side down in a large saucepan or pot that's big enough to fit all of the dolmas in a single layer.
- Repeat until all of the grape leaves are used, placing one dolma directly next to the other and leaving no space in between.
- Drizzle another 1 to 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the dolmas, followed by the remaining lemon juice.
- Pour the remaining 4 cups of vegetable broth over the grape leaves to cover.
- Cover the pot and simmer over medium-low heat for 1 hour (do not boil). Add water as necessary to keep grape leaves covered.
- Remove the pan from the heat, uncover, and let the dolmas cool in the liquid for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Using a slotted spoon, gently transfer the dolmas to a serving dish. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice and serve cold or at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 46 kcal, Carbohydrate 8 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Fiber 1 g, Protein 1 g, SaturatedFat 0 g, Sodium 458 mg, Sugar 0 g, Fat 1 g, ServingSize 40 dolmas (40 servings), UnsaturatedFat 0 g
DOLMAS (STUFFED GRAPE LEAVES)
The spices may seem like a strange combination, but this is a wonderful, delicate traditional Turkish dish with a twist. Serve chilled, as is traditional, or warm, as desired. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over dolmas before serving.
Provided by WhirledPeas
Categories Side Dish Rice Side Dish Recipes
Time 1h15m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Saute onions until tender. Stir in rice and hot water to cover. Cover and simmer until rice is half cooked, about 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in tomato paste, currants, pine nuts, cinnamon, mint leaves, dill weed, allspice and cumin. Let mixture cool.
- Prepare a large pot by placing an inverted plate on the bottom; this protects the dolmas from direct heat when steaming.
- Rinse grape leaves in warm water; drain and cut off any stems. Place about 1 teaspoon of the cooled rice mixture in the center of a leaf. Fold in the sides and then roll into a cigar shape. Place in prepared pot. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
- Pour in just enough warm water to reach the bottom of the first layer of dolmas. Cover and simmer over low heat for 30 to 45 minutes, or until rice is totally cooked. Check the water level often and add more as necessary.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 207.4 calories, Carbohydrate 39.1 g, Fat 3.8 g, Fiber 2 g, Protein 5.3 g, SaturatedFat 0.6 g, Sodium 846.7 mg, Sugar 3.9 g
DOLMAS-GRAPE LEAVES STUFFED WITH FRAGRANT RICE
Adapted from the Field of Greens Restaurant which opened in San Fransisco Bay in 1979 and changed forever the image of vegetarian cooking. The dinner chef learned to make these on the Greek island of Mykonos and brought the recipe to the restaurant. The rice's spicy, sweet flavor is a perfect contrast to the pungent grape leaves. These dolmas are surprisingly easy to make! Serve with wedges of lemon and some kalamata olives.
Provided by Sharon123
Categories Long Grain Rice
Time 45m
Yield 20-24 dolmas
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Bring water to a boil in a medium saucepan; add 1 teaspoons salt, then stir in the rice, cinnamon, sugar, butter, and lemon zest. Allow pot to return to a boil, then cover and cook over low heat until the rice is just tender, 15-20 minutes(a littlemore for brown rice). The rice should be slightly undercooked at this point, since it will cook a little more when the dolmas steam.
- Move the rice to a bowl and, while it is still hot, toss with the currants(or raisins), pine nuts, and lemon juice. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Rinse and drain the grape leaves, pat them dry, and snip off the stems; spread them out on a work surface. Pack 1 tbls. rice in your hands to compress it and place in the center of each grape leaf. Fold in the bottom and the two sides, then roll toward the top until the entire grape leaf has been rolled.
- Brush the dolmas lightly with a little olive oil and set in a steamer basket. Place the steamer over boiling water, cover, and steam for 3-5 minutes, until heated through.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
STUFFED GRAPE LEAVES WITH RICE (DOLMADES)
Recipe I found in the Chicago Tribune that was adapted from Dean and Catherine Karayani's book "Regional Greek Cooking."
Provided by EmilyStrikesAgain
Categories Rice
Time 2h
Yield 10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Heat 1/4 cup of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; cook onions until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the rice; cook, stirring until rice begins to color. Cover; lower heat to low. Cook 5 minutes. Stir in the water, dill, pine nuts, salt and pepper, simmer 5 minutes. Let cool.
- Place a heaping teaspoon of the filling in the center of each grape leaf with the shiny surface down. Fold the sides of the leaf over the filling; roll up loosely (the rice will swell when cooked). Place rolls in layers in a Dutch oven.
- Sprinkle with lemon juice. Add remaining 1/4 cup of olive oil and 1 1/12 cups hot water. Place a heatproof plate over the rolls to prevent them from opening. Cover; simmer over low heat 1 hour. Let cool in the pan; refrigerate until ready to serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 196.7, Fat 11.4, SaturatedFat 1.6, Sodium 886.7, Carbohydrate 21.9, Fiber 0.8, Sugar 1.5, Protein 2.6
DOLMAS (STUFFED GRAPE LEAVES)
Provided by Marian Burros
Categories dinner, project, appetizer
Time 1h
Yield About four dozen
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In a large bowl, mix together the pork, beef, onion, parsley, coriander, mint, rice and black pepper.
- Separate the grape leaves and rinse in warm water. Cut off the stems.
- Arrange 10 leaves in a heavy-bottomed pot to keep the dolmas from burning.
- Place each of the remaining leaves, shiny side down, on the counter. Place about 1 tablespoon of filling in the center of each leaf and roll up. Fold the stem end over the filling. Then fold in the sides and continue rolling up. Stack the rolls, seam side down, on the grape leaves in the pot. When all the filling has been used up, pour the beef broth over the dolmas. Place a plate on top of the dolmas and bring the liquid to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer for about 45 minutes. Drain well.
- Serve at room temperature or cold with yogurt on the side.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 61, UnsaturatedFat 1 gram, Carbohydrate 4 grams, Fat 3 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 5 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 60 milligrams, Sugar 1 gram, TransFat 0 grams
Tips:
- To select the best grape leaves, look for ones that are young, tender, and have no tears or holes.
- If using fresh grape leaves, blanch them in boiling water for 1-2 minutes to soften them.
- For a more flavorful filling, use a combination of rice, ground beef, lamb, or chicken.
- Add herbs and spices to the filling, such as mint, parsley, dill, cumin, and cinnamon, for extra flavor.
- To prevent the dolmas from falling apart, roll them tightly and secure them with toothpicks.
- When cooking the dolmas, simmer them in a flavorful broth or sauce to keep them moist and juicy.
- Serve dolmas hot or at room temperature, with a side of yogurt sauce or lemon wedges.
Conclusion:
Dolmas, also known as stuffed grape leaves, are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as an appetizer, main course, or side dish. With their unique combination of flavors and textures, they are a popular dish in many cultures around the world. Whether you prefer them made with meat, vegetables, or a combination of both, dolmas are sure to please everyone at your table. So next time you're looking for a new and exciting dish to try, give dolmas a try – you won't be disappointed!
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