Stuffed Grape Leaves with Rice

Since I have started this site I get so many emails asking me why I do not have any recipes for grape leaves. I mean it is one of the biggest Arabic recipes out there after all. There are a lot of versions of grape leaves and this is one of the Saudi ways to make them. The other contains ground beef and I will try to get it up here sometime in the future. If you’re not exactly sure how to roll or arrange these in the pan then you should check out YouTube and you will have it in no time.

1/2 kg. Grape leaves
2 cups small grain rice (Egyptian)
4 white onions, minced
1/2 tablespoon lemon salt
1/2 bunch mint, chopped
1/2 bunch parsley, chopped
1/4 cup olive oil plus 1/2 cup olive oil
1 large tomato, chopped
4 cups water
1/2 tablespoon salt
3 tomatoes, quartered for garnish

1. Wash rice and drain in strainer.

2. In a large mixing bowl, add rice, onion, mint, parsley, chopped tomato, lemon salt, salt and 1/4 cup olive oil, mix.

3. Wash grape leaves and in a large saucepan with boiling water boil for 2 minutes. Spread grape leaves keeping the rough side up and stuff with an 1/2 tablespoon of the mix. Bend both edges of the leaves to the inside and roll in a finger shape, repeat until all are stuffed.

4. Spread two layers of grape leaves in the bottom of the pan, arrange some on top, pour 1/2 cup of olive oil and 1 cup of water and cover the top with a plate so the leaves do not move.

5. Cook on low heat add a water a bit at a time until done. Allow to cool then arrange on a plate and garnish.