Grape Leaves are a summer staple, according to my grandfather (he was Lebanese). I hardly think there was a week that went by when I was a kid that we weren't eating stuffed grape leaves. I still love them. Mmmm.
Note below where my husband ate a midnight snack. Sigh.
Stuffed Grape Leaves
30ish grape leaves
2-3 cups cooked rice (I use brown rice)
1 diced onion
6 slices of chopped bacon (use turkey for kosher, or the vegetarian ones to make it vegetarian)
1 pound ground meat (or meat substitute if making vegetarian)
Large can diced tomatoes or tomato sauce
Flavor with oregano, Lebanese five spice, salt, pepper
Blanch grape leaves in boiling water for a minute. Let cool.
Sautee onions. Add bacon until done. Add meat until done. Add rice, sauce and spices. Wrap up the contents in grape leaf. Can eat cold or hot.
I love stuffed grape leaves! I would love to try these, where do you get the fresh leaves? In the woods, on your property? I've seen jars of them in the grocery store, but they look awful. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
ReplyDeleteSandy Cheney
so glad you're interested in trying the grape leaves! the ones in the store have been brined and are oily, which makes them less tempting and less healthy. many of the old farmhouses around us have an abundance of grape vines. i have permission from some folks around us to take and eat them (which they say eat away, as no one else around here eats them). there's some along the road that i can just pick too. do you know anyone who lives in an old farmhouse? i'd ask to see if they have any growing. or next time you go see your mother, stop by and i can give you a pile.
ReplyDeleteJackie, This post disappoints me. For years I have loved grape leaves, and I always assumed they were a rare delicacy. Now you've gone and ruined it for me by telling me I can make them myself. :) I guess I'll have to try this.
ReplyDeletelol. :)
ReplyDelete