Greek Stuffed Grape Leaves
- 1 jar grape leaves in brine, or 45 to 50 fresh leaves soaked in brine
- 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 1 large clove garlic, peeled, smashed and chopped fine
- 1/2 cup long-grain rice
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried mint
- 2 cups water
- 3/4 cup lemon juice
- Drain grape leaves and rinse very well under cold running water.
- Allow to soak in fresh water for at least 1 hour.
- Place 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in an 8-by-8 by 2-inch glass or ceramic dish.
- Cook, uncovered, at 100 percent power in a high-power oven for 2 minutes.
- Stir in onion and garlic.
- Cook, uncovered, for 2 minutes.
- Stir in rice, mint and 1 cup of the water.
- Cover tightly with microwave plastic wrap.
- Cook for 10 minutes.
- Prick plastic to release steam.
- Remove from oven and uncover.
- Allow to cool slightly.
- Place one grape leaf outside down on work surface.
- Remove stem with a small knife.
- Place 1 rounded teaspoon of the rice mixture in the center of the leaf.
- Fold the sides to the center and roll up.
- Place, seam side down in an 11-by-7 by 2 1/2-inch glass dish.
- Repeat with remaining rice mixture and leaves.
- Pour remaining water and 1/2 cup of the lemon juice over the grape leaves.
- Cover and cook for 18 minutes.
- Prick plastic to release steam.
- Remove from oven and uncover.
- Allow to stand until cool.
- Pour over remaining 1/4 cup olive oil and remaining 1/4 cup lemon juice.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours.
grape, olive oil, onion, clove garlic, longgrain rice, mint, water, lemon juice
Taken from cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/2964 (may not work)