Best 3 Middle Eastern Stuffed Grape Leaves Sort Of Recipes

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**Middle Eastern Stuffed Grape Leaves: A Culinary Journey Through Flavors and Traditions**

Middle Eastern stuffed grape leaves are a delectable dish that embodies the culinary heritage and diverse flavors of the region. These delectable morsels, known as "waraq enab" in Arabic, are a testament to the region's rich culinary traditions and the skillful blending of spices, herbs, and fresh ingredients. With origins deeply rooted in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines, stuffed grape leaves have become a beloved dish enjoyed across cultures and borders.

This collection of recipes offers a comprehensive guide to crafting this culinary masterpiece, with variations that cater to different tastes and preferences. From the classic Lebanese-style stuffed grape leaves, bursting with aromatic rice, minced meat, and a medley of herbs and spices, to the unique Turkish version featuring tangy pomegranate molasses and pine nuts, each recipe promises a distinct culinary experience.

Whether you prefer the vegetarian delight of the Palestinian stuffed grape leaves, filled with nutty bulgur, fresh herbs, and tangy sumac, or the hearty Jordanian variation with its flavorful lamb and vegetable stuffing, this article has something for every palate. Dive into the vibrant world of Middle Eastern cuisine and embark on a culinary adventure with these exceptional stuffed grape leaf recipes.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

DOLMADES RECIPE



Dolmades Recipe image

This has to be one of my very favorite meals in the world, dolmades is of course the Greek name most people know.

Provided by Chef Tariq

Categories     Main Course

Time 2h30m

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 jar Grape Leaves (pickled)
4 cups Rice (soaked for 30 minutes)
3½ tsp Salt
½ tsp Black Pepper
4 tsp Seven Spices
2 tsp Dried Mint
4 Tomatoes (1 diced + 3 sliced)
1 Onion (diced)
6 oz Lamb (ground)
⅓ cup Tomato Paste
6 cups Lamb Broth
2 tbsp Olive Oil

Steps:

  • Remove stems from grape leaves and any torn leaves. (Most leaves can be cut in half - smaller ones remain whole.)
  • Mix herbs, spices, tomato, onion, lamb, olive oil, salt and pepper into rice. Mix well by hand until well combined.
  • Grease the bottom of the pot and put foil in the bottom. Line the bottom of the pot with any discarded grape leaf pieces. Top with tomato slices.
  • Lay out a single grape leaf. Place a small amount of filling in the centre. Fold over edges and the roll up grape leaf longways.
  • Roll tightly so they don't come apart but not so tight that they tear.
  • Place the rolled grape leaves tightly against each other in layers. Place a plate that is heatproof and slightly smaller than the pot on top of the grape leaves to keep in place during the boiling process.
  • Mix the tomato puree into the broth until dissolved. Pour the broth mixture over the grape leaves keeping the plate in place. Bring to a boil.
  • Turn down to a simmer and cook like you would rice. Once the water has evaporated below the top layer of grape leaves, remove the plate.
  • Cooks for about an hour and a half until all the liquid has evaporated.
  • Remove from the heat and allow to rest in the pot for ten minutes.
  • Remove the lid and place the serving plate over the pot. Flip pot so grape leaves are transferred to the plate.
  • Let the contents settle for a couple of minutes before removing the pot. Serve with yogurt.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 318 kcal, Carbohydrate 54 g, Protein 10 g, Fat 6 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, Cholesterol 10 mg, Sodium 915 mg, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 2 g, ServingSize 1 serving

LEBANESE STUFFED GRAPE LEAVES



Lebanese Stuffed Grape Leaves image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     side-dish

Time 2h45m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

40 garlic cloves
1 pound ground beef
3/4 cup uncooked white rice
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons allspice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 jar grape leaves, or about 50 fresh grape leaves
1/4 cup olive oil
1 pound pork or lamb chops
1 tomato, sliced
1/2 cup lemon juice

Steps:

  • In a large mixing bowl, mix together the ground beef, rice, garlic powder, allspice, salt, pepper, and cinnamon, and set aside.
  • Rinse grape leaves several times. If the leaves are small, leave them intact, but cut out the large center vein. If the leaves are large, cut them in half vertically, cutting out the large vein in the process. Place a small amount of the ground meat mixture at the end of each leaf. Roll up egg-roll style.
  • Pour the oil into the bottom of a large Dutch oven. Lay the chops over the oil. Lay the tomato slices over the chops.
  • Place the stuffed grape leaves seam-side down on top of the chops. Pack the leaves tightly and begin a second layer when necessary. Place whole garlic cloves randomly between the rolled leaves; plenty of garlic on each layer.
  • When you are done stacking, pour the lemon juice over the leaves, and add water to the pot to about 2-inches above the rolled leaves. To prevent the leaves from unrolling during cooking, place a plate on top of the stack of leaves and place a heavy object on top of the plate.
  • Simmer the leaves over low heat for about 2 hours.
  • Invert the entire Dutch oven into a large platter with high sides (i.e. a 12-inch round cake pan). Or, remove the leaves from the pot with tongs. Serve rustic style, with plenty of Arabic bread on which to spread the garlic!

MIDDLE EASTERN STUFFED GRAPE LEAVES-SORT OF



Middle Eastern Stuffed Grape Leaves-Sort Of image

These are not made in tomato sauce, but in chicken broth and lemon juice, and I think the flavor combination is really good. This is from the middle eastern cookbook by Tess Mallos. My husband is Palestinian, but this recipe came from the Cyprus section of the book. I'm not a big fan of grape leaf rolls as normally prepared in the Middle East with tomato sauce but these I can actually enjoy, especially with the sauce. I have modified it slightly but not much, and have tried to emphasize the places I have gone wrong with this recipe in the past to help you get it right the first time.

Provided by loverania

Categories     Vegetable

Time 2h30m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 19

12 ounces preserved grape leaves or 60 fresh grape leaves
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 tablespoons corn oil
1 1/2 lbs ground beef (if you live near an hallal butcher ask for Iraqi Kabob, it is a flavorful mixture of both) or 1 1/2 lbs lamb (if you live near an hallal butcher ask for Iraqi Kabob, it is a flavorful mixture of both)
1/2 cup rice
2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
2 teaspoons finely chopped mint
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
black pepper
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon butter
2 cups chicken broth (and I even add a chicken cube for more flavor)
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
2 eggs
1 -2 tablespoon lemon juice
salt
white pepper (I never have this so I use black, you just get little flecks in you sauce, still yummy!)

Steps:

  • Rinse grape leaves in cold water and blanch in boiling water for three minutes in three or four lots. Remove to basin of cold water with slotted spoon then into colander to drain. (This is the hard part for me, as the leaves tend to want to come apart).
  • Gently fry onion in oil until soft. Lightly mix meat, rice, onion, oil, herbs, salt and pepper until will combined.
  • Place a grape leaf, shiny side down on a work surface. Snip of stem if necessary. Place about a tablespoon of mixture near stem end, fold end and sides over stuffing and roll up firmly. Stuffing will make about 4 dozen rolls (you will be an expert roller when you are finished!).
  • Line base of a heavy pan with six leaves(use the ones that fell apart during the blanching) pack the rolls on top in layers close together to keep them from falling apart during cooking (I have discovered the hard way this is VERY important). Sprinkle lemon juice over every layer.
  • Cover top of rolls with remaining grape leaves. Add butter, chicken stock and remaining lemon juice. Invert a heavy plate on top to keep rolls in shape during cooking (also VERY important).
  • Cover pan with lid and place over medium heat. Bring to a slow simmer, then simmer gently over LOW heat for 1 1/2 - 2 hours.
  • To make sauce: melt butter in a small sauce pan and stir in flour. Cook 2 minutes with out browning and stir in the stock stir constantly until sauce thickens and bubbles.
  • Beat eggs in a bowl until frothy and beat in one tablespoon of lemon juice. Pour hot sauce into eggs gradually, beating constantly (you really can do this with two hands) Return sauce to pan and stir over gentle heat for two minutes to cook the egg. Care must be taken as sauce could curdle. If this happens, sprinkle a little cold water into sauce and beat with egg whisk.
  • Drain cooked rolls (CAREFULLY) and arrange on a serving dish, garnish with parsley and lemon slices, serve egg and lemon sauce in a separate sauce boat.
  • You can also serve these cold without the sauce.

Tips:

  • Choose the right grapes: It's recommended to use young and tender grape leaves, as mature leaves tend to be tough and less pliable.
  • Blanch the grape leaves: Blanching helps soften the leaves and make them more pliable for rolling.
  • Use a variety of fillings: Feel free to experiment with different fillings such as rice, ground meat, vegetables, and herbs to create unique flavor combinations.
  • Roll the grape leaves tightly: This will help prevent the filling from spilling out during cooking.
  • Cook the grape leaves properly: Steaming is the preferred method for cooking stuffed grape leaves, as it helps retain their delicate flavors and texture.

Conclusion:

Middle Eastern stuffed grape leaves are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as an appetizer, side dish, or main course. With a variety of fillings and cooking methods to choose from, there's a stuffed grape leaf recipe out there to suit every taste. So next time you're looking for a unique and flavorful dish to try, give stuffed grape leaves a try – you won't be disappointed!

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