Flavourful Dolmas Recipe

Name: Flavourful Dolmas
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 2 onions, chopped finely; ½ cup celery, chopped finely; 2 tablespoons butter (I use sweet butter for all recipes and add sea salt to taste); 1 lb ground beef (I use extra lean and add some oil in it so it won't be dry); ½ cup white basmati rice; 1 tablespoon dried mint (substitute, 2 tablespoons fresh mint chopped); ¼ cup parsley, chopped finely; 3 tablespoons pine nuts (optional, I have yet to try with them); sea salt & freshly ground black pepper; 1 (8 ounce) jar grape leaves; 1 dash good olive oil; 3 cups chicken broth (I use homemade); 1 lemon, juice of; 1 cup balkan yogurt (thick consistency, otherwise known as Greek yogurt); 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed (or to taste, amount is a guess); sea salt, to taste

Servings: persons

2 onions, chopped finely
½ cup celery, chopped finely
2 tablespoons butter (I use sweet butter for all recipes and add sea salt to taste)
1 lb ground beef (I use extra lean and add some oil in it so it won't be dry)
½ cup white basmati rice
1 tablespoon dried mint (substitute, 2 tablespoons fresh mint chopped)
¼ cup parsley, chopped finely
3 tablespoons pine nuts (optional, I have yet to try with them)
sea salt & freshly ground black pepper
1 (8 ounce) jar grape leaves
1 dash good olive oil
3 cups chicken broth (I use homemade)
1 lemon, juice of
1 cup balkan yogurt (thick consistency, otherwise known as Greek yogurt)
1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed (or to taste, amount is a guess)
sea salt, to taste

1
Remove grape leaves from the jar and open up leaves into casserole dish or equivalent.
2
Unroll somewhat and pour over some cool tap water to soak a little.
3
Meanwhile saute onions and celery in 1 tablespoon butter, until soft.
4
In a large bowl add ground beef, onion and celery, rice, mint, parsley, pine nuts if using, sea salt & freshly ground pepper to taste, mix well.
5
Remove one leaf (the bigger the better) and place onto a flat surface; with the shiny side down.
6
Place a small amount of the filling toward the stem side of the leaf and then roll up (you may see a demo of how to here, http://www.food.com/bb/viewtopic.zsp?t=250725 yet I like to remove the stem if they are not already removed).
7
Add a dash olive oil to the bottom of a pot and line with some of the riped or not so good looking grape leaves.
8
Place the finished dolmas one by one in a single close to each other layer in the pot.
9
Make the next layer in the opposite direction and so on.
10
Add chicken stock, juice of the lemon and remaining tablespoon of butter.
11
In order to prevent the grape leaves from opening up during cooking, place a small plate on top of the grape leaves and press down.
12
Then cover and bring to a boil.
13
Lower heat and simmer covered for about 1 hour.
14
While cooking make the Yogurt Sauce.
15
To do this mix the Yogurt sauce ingredients well and add sea salt to taste.
16
Serve dolmas warm spooning sauce on top as desired.
17
Enjoy!

1105

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Use a neutral oil or a plant-based spread in place of butter for a dairy-free version.
Leave out the nuts to make it nut-free, or swap in seeds for a similar crunch.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

Saved locally in your browser — visible only to you.

How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 16 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 2 onions, chopped finely, ½ cup celery, chopped finely, 2 tablespoons butter (I use sweet butter for all recipes and add sea salt to taste), 1 lb ground beef (I use extra lean and add some oil in it so it won't be dry), and more.

Yes, Flavourful Dolmas falls under the Soups & Stews category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Flavourful Dolmas

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions