Notes

This is a popular dish in the Middle East, and very popular in Egypt.

You can by prepared vine leaves in jars at Middle Eastern groceries.

An adventurous sole has even made a fusion dish Stuffed Canadian Silver Maple leaves.

Servings

Preparation Time

Ingredients

• 1/2 kg vine leaves.
• Salt
• Pepper
• 1 tablespoon margarine, or 2 tablespoon oil.
• 1/4 kg minced meat.
• 2 cups rice.
• 1 onions, finely chopped or grated
• 1 cup parsley ,finely chopped.
• 1 teaspoon mint ,dried and ground.
• 3 Tomatoes , diced
• 2 tablespoons margarine.
• salt, pepper and spices.
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice.
• 3 tablespoons tomato past.

Cooking Instructions

Preparing the stuffing

• In a bowl mix minced meat, salt, pepper and tomato chopped in small pices.
  
• Wash rice well, drain and add to bowl.
  
• Stir to mix all ingredients well.
  
• Also add parsley, spices and margarine.
  
• Drain the liquid from stuffing and set aside.

Preparing the vineleaves

• Remove the stem from the vine leaves.
• Wash vine leaves well, and stack over each other.
  

Preparation

• Spread each leaf on the soft side facing upwards.
  
• Put stuffing on the center of the leaf where you tore the stem.
  
• Fold the sides of the leaf to keep the stuffing from falling out.
  
• Roll up the leave to form a small finger shape. Repeat with the rest of vine leaves.
  
• In a deep pan, arrange stuffed vineleaves to form one layer.
  
• Arrange the leave layers over each other in the pan.
  
• Leave a little space at the top of the pan allowing the rice stuffing to expand during cooking.
  
• Cook pan over medium heat.
  
• Dissolve salt and hot water, you may add boullion cubes for flavor.
• Cover and boil then move to low heat.
  
• Leave to cook until rice is done.
  
• Add lemon juice and take off heat.
  
• Serve hot with yoghurt salad.