Stuffed Grape Leaves

You'll need a steamer basket to make this Greek recipe. The bite-size grape leaf rolls are filled with a mixture of ground beef, rice, and mint and steamed until fork tender. A lemon-dill dressing gives the appetizer just a hint of tang.

from Family Circle

Stuffed Grape Leaves
Yield: 4 dozen Prep 50 mins Cook 1 hr 5 mins

Ingredients

  • 1 jar (1 pound) grape leaves in vinegar
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 pound ground beef
  • 1 cup uncooked white rice
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons dried mint
  • 2 1/4 cups water
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup water
Dressing:
  • 1/2 cup lemon juice (about 4 lemons)
  • 1 tablespoon snipped fresh dill
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 cup olive oil

Make It

1. Boil grape leaves in 6 cups boiling water until tender, 20 to 25 minutes.

2. In second saucepan, saute onion in butter 3 minutes, until slightly softened. Add garlic and cumin; cook 2 minutes. Add beef; cook, breaking apart with wooden spoon, 5 minutes. Add rice and mint; cook, stirring, 3 minutes. Add water, salt, pepper. Simmer, uncovered, stirring, 7 minutes. Cover; simmer 13 minutes.

3. Whisk flour and 1/2 cup water in small cup. Add to rice; cook 2 minutes. Remove from heat.

Dressing:

4. Mix juice, dill, salt, pepper, sugar and mustard in bowl. Whisk in oil.

5. Drain leaves; rinse with cool water. Add 1/3 cup dressing to rice.

6. Place steamer or steamer insert in large pot with 2 inches of water.

7. Lay 1 leaf flat, smooth side up, on work surface. Place 1 tablespoon filling on center of base of leaf. First fold over one side of leaf, then fold over other side. Beginning at bottom of leaf, roll up tightly to leaf point. Place, seam side down, into steamer basket. Continue with remaining leaves and filling.

8. Steam 35 to 40 minutes, until tender. Remove to platter. Drizzle with remaining dressing. Makes 4 dozen.

Nutrition Facts

Amount Per Serving: cal. (kcal): 77, Fat, total (g): 6, chol. (mg): 4, sat. fat (g): 1, carb. (g): 5, fiber (g): , pro. (g): 1, sodium (mg): 250, Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
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