Dolma (stuffed Grape Leaves)

Dolma, or stuffed grape leaves, is a popular dish in Tajik cuisine. It is made by filling grape leaves with a flavorful mixture of rice, meat, and spices, resulting in a delicious and satisfying meal.

Dolma (stuffed Grape Leaves)

Ingredients

  • 1 jar of grape leaves
  • 1 cup of rice
  • 1 pound of ground beef
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 1 tomato, diced
  • 1/4 cup of fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 cup of fresh dill, chopped
  • 1/4 cup of olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon of paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon of cumin
  • 1/4 cup of lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Rinse the grape leaves under cold water and drain well.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the rice, ground beef, onion, tomato, parsley, dill, olive oil, salt, pepper, paprika, and cumin. Mix well.
  3. Place a grape leaf on a flat surface, shiny side down. Place a small amount of the rice mixture in the center of the leaf. Fold the sides of the leaf over the filling, then roll it up tightly.
  4. Repeat with the remaining grape leaves and filling mixture.
  5. Place the stuffed grape leaves in a large pot, seam side down, in a single layer. Pour the lemon juice over the dolma.
  6. Add enough water to the pot to cover the dolma. Place a plate on top of the dolma to keep them from floating.
  7. Cover the pot and cook over medium heat for 1 hour, or until the rice is tender and the dolma are cooked through.
  8. Remove the dolma from the pot and let them cool before serving.

Cooking & Preparation

Preparation time:
30 minutes
Cooking time:
1 hour
Total time:
1 hour
Cooking method
Stovetop

Nutritional facts per 1 serving

Calories
300 per serving
Protein
15g
Carbohydrates
30g
Fat
12g

Supplies

Large pot Plate

Tools

Knife Cutting board Bowl

Serving suggestions

Serve the dolma with a side of yogurt or a fresh salad for a complete meal.

Tips & tricks

For a vegetarian version, you can replace the ground beef with cooked lentils or chickpeas.

Cost

$15