Stuffed Grape Leaves
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 large onion, minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 1/2 cup chopped parsley leaves plus 12 stems
- 2 teaspoons dried mint
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- Salt
- Pepper
- 18 large brined grape leaves, rinsed and patted dry
- In a medium saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil.
- Add the onion and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until translucent, 5 minutes.
- Stir in the tomato paste and cook, stirring, until lightly caramelized, about 3 minutes.
- Add the rice and 1 cup of water; bring to a simmer.
- Cover and cook over low heat until the water is absorbed, about 5 minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat.
- Stir in the chopped parsley, mint and sugar and season with salt and pepper.
- (The rice will not be fully cooked yet.)
- Spread the grape leaves on a work surface.
- Spoon 2 tablespoons of the filling down the center of each leaf, leaving a 1-inch border on each side.
- For each stuffed grape leaf, fold the sides over the rice, then roll up the leaf into a log.
- Scatter the parsley stems in a large skillet.
- Set the stuffed grape leaves on top in a single layer.
- Season with salt and add enough water to just cover the rolls.
- Bring to a simmer and cook over moderately low heat, uncovered, until the rice is tender, about 25 minutes.
- Drizzle the remaining oil over the grape leaves and let stand until cooled to room temperature.
- Serve.
extravirgin olive oil, onion, tomato paste, longgrain white rice, parsley, mint, sugar, salt, pepper, grape leaves
Taken from www.foodandwine.com/recipes/stuffed-grape-leaves (may not work)