-
1
For the filling: 1.
-
2
Heat the olive oil over medium high heat and add the onions.
-
3
2.
-
4
As the onions start to sweat and become translucent (roughly 35 minutes), add the rice and remaining ingredients, including any of the listed herbs and spices youd like to include.
-
5
Stir frequently.
-
6
3.
-
7
Cook all ingredients together on medium high heat for 57 minutes before reducing heat to a simmer.
-
8
4.
-
9
Let the ingredients simmer for another 10 minutes or so.
-
10
The goal here is to lightly cook the ingredients but leave the rice slightly uncooked (it will cook more later).
-
11
For the grape leaves: 1.
-
12
As the filling mixture simmers, bring a pot of water to a boil.
-
13
With the water boiling, add grape leaves and boil for 23 minutes.
-
14
2.
-
15
After 23 minutes, take out grape leaves and drain.
-
16
Cut off any remaining stems while the leaves are still soft.
-
17
3.
-
18
Lay a grape leaf on a flat surface with the shiny side up (or the veiny side of the leaf facing down).
-
19
4.
-
20
Place 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons filling in the center of the leaf and shape into a small cylinder.
-
21
5.
-
22
Fold the bottom part of the leaf over the filling and tuck underneath on the other side, enclosing the filling.
-
23
6.
-
24
Roll the filling up the leaf at 1 or 2 more times, depending on the size of the leaf, to wrap it further in the leaf.
-
25
7.
-
26
Fold the left side of the leaf into the center and the right side of the leaf into the center, fully enclosing the filling in the leaf on all sides.
-
27
8.
-
28
Fold the rest of the leaf into a point and roll all the way until all the leaf has been fully rolled.
-
29
9.
-
30
Fill a small pot with the finished grape leaves, tightly packed together, creating multiple layers stacked on top of one another.
-
31
If you have leftover or unusable grape leaves, use them at the bottom of the pot to act as a buffer between the grape leaves and the heat.
-
32
10.
-
33
Mix lemon juice with enough water to submerge the grape leaves and place a small weight (heavy plate or dish) on top of the grape leaves so theyll stay in place.
-
34
Please note that this weight should be able to take the upcoming heat from the boiling liquid.
-
35
11.
-
36
Cover the pot and bring to a boil.
-
37
Reduce heat to medium low and let simmer for 1 hour.
-
38
12.
-
39
After 1 hour, remove cover and weight from the pot and remove grape leaves from water.
-
40
Most of it should have been absorbed by now, but there might be a little remaining at the bottom.
-
41
13.
-
42
Take the pot off the heat and serve the leaves.
-
43
Recipe adapted from The Armenian Kitchen.
