Byzantine Dolmathes (Stuffed Grapeleaves)
Recipe
- Title:
- Byzantine Dolmathes (Stuffed Grapeleaves)
- Categories:
- Greek, Appetizers
- Yield:
- 60 servings
Directions
- Karen Mintzias 1 Jar grapeleaves (or fresh)
Ingredients
FILLING
- 2 tb Oil
- 1/2 ts Salt
- 1 lb Ground beef or lamb
- Pepper to taste
- 2
- Onions; chopped
- 1/8 ts Cinnamon
- 1
- Garlic clove; pressed
- 1/2 c Currants
- 2 c Water
- 1/4 c Port wine (optional)
- 1/2 c Tomato sauce
- 1/4 c Pine nuts or walnuts
- 1 c Rice
- 2 c Water
- 2 tb Chopped mint
- 1
- Lemon (juice only)
- 2 tb Chopped parsley
Ingredients
SAUCE
- 3
- Eggs
- 1 c Hot broth
- 2
- Lemons (stained juice only)
Directions
- If using canned grape leaves, rinse off brine by floating leaves in a basin of cold water.
- Prepare fresh vine leaves by pouring a cup of boiling water over them in a bowl.
- Drain.
- Spread 5 or 6 leaves out at a time on a flat surface.
- Lay leaf stem side up.
- Snip off stem with kitchen shears.
Directions
- MAKE FILLING: Heat oil in large frying pan.
- Fry meat, onions and garlic on medium heat for 5 minutes, mixing it as it cooks.
- Add water and remaining ingredients.
- Bring to a boil.
- Cover.
- Reduce heat to simmer and cook 10 minutes, until water is absorbed.
- Set aside until cool enough to handle.
- Put 1 teaspoon of filling near stem.
- Bring left side of leaf towards center, then bring right side towards center.
- They will not always meet.
- Pick up stem end of leaf, tucking in the filling.
- Roll away from you.
- It will be an oblong roll like a sausage.
Directions
- Line the bottom of a large skillet with 4 leaves.
- Place each roll so that the tucked under end is on the bottom.
- Arrange each roll snugly, one next to the other, until all the leaves (except 3), and filling are gone.
- Place these leaves flat on top of rolls.
- Place a flat dish on top of rolls also to prevent their unravelling during cooking.
Directions
- Add water and lemon juice.
- Bring to a boil.
- Cover.
- Reduce heat to simmer and cook 45 minutes.
- When done, remove pot from fire.
- Make Egg and Lemon Sauce and add to broth immediately or serve without sauce either cold as an appetizer or as a hot entree.
Directions
- EGG AND LEMON SAUCE: Beat eggs until thick and light yellow, at least 5 minutes, with an electric beater or 10 to 15 minutes by hand.
- Add juice slowly, beating all the while.
- Mix 1 cup hot broth into beaten eggs, stirring it in quickly with spoon (or wire whisk) so heat will not curdle the eggs.
- Cook over very low heat until thickened.
Directions
- From: "The Complete Greek Cookbook" by Theresa Karas Yianilos.
- Avenel Books, New York.
Directions
- Typed for you by Karen Mintzias
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