Stuffed Grape Leaves (Dolmades)
- 1 (8 ounce) jar grape leaves
- 1 lb very-lean ground lamb
- 1 (16 ounce) can tomatoes
- 1 cup long-grain rice
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 2 bunches green onions, chopped
- 3 cups loosely packed mint leaves, chopped
- 2 lemons, juice of
- To prepare the grape leaves: Drain the jar and carefully remove the roll of leaves. Separate the leaves, rinsing them and stacking them (be careful not to tear them). Set aside.
- Chop the canned tomatoes finely (I process in a food processor). Combine the lamb, tomatoes and their liquid, rice, olive oil, scallions, and mint.
- Lay a grape leaf, vein side up with stem pointing toward you, on your work surface. Place a tablespoon of filling at the base of the leaf and roll up, tucking in at the sides to make a little bundle. (You want to roll it up tight enough so that it stays together but leave a little room for the rice to expand as it cooks). Repeat until all filling and/or grape leaves are used up, placing each bundle seam side down into a cooking pot.
- Squeeze lemon juice over the bundles, then add water nearly to cover. Place a small plate over the bundles to weigh them down (so they won't fall apart during cooking). Cover and bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour.
- Serve hot or cold.
grape leaves, verylean ground lamb, tomatoes, longgrain rice, olive oil, green onions, mint, lemons
Taken from www.food.com/recipe/stuffed-grape-leaves-dolmades-218745 (may not work)