Grape Paste Recipes

Steps:

• Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Saute onions until tender. Stir in rice and hot water to cover. Cover and simmer until rice is half cooked, about 10 minutes.
• Remove from heat and stir in tomato paste, currants, pine nuts, cinnamon, mint leaves, dill weed, allspice and cumin. Let mixture cool.
• Prepare a large pot by placing an inverted plate on the bottom; this protects the dolmas from direct heat when steaming.
• Rinse grape leaves in warm water; drain and cut off any stems. Place about 1 teaspoon of the cooled rice mixture in the center of a leaf. Fold in the sides and then roll into a cigar shape. Place in prepared pot. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
• Pour in just enough warm water to reach the bottom of the first layer of dolmas. Cover and simmer over low heat for 30 to 45 minutes, or until rice is totally cooked. Check the water level often and add more as necessary.

Steps:

• Pick the grapes from the stem and wash well.
• Place them into a pot and just cover with water.
• Bring to the boil then reduce to a simmer and cook until the grapes are soft.
• Strain off the water and pass the grapes through a good mill or force through a sieve.
• Throw away the skins and any seeds and weight the resulting pulp.
• Place the pulp into a heavy-based pan with the required quantity of sugar.
• Cook until the pulp becomes very thick and is difficult to stir.
• If the fruit begins to stick and burn, remove it from the pot straight away and continue in a clean pot.
• Brush a biscuit tin with the grape seed oil then pour in the paste.
• Allow to set, and wrap in plastic.
• It is best kept in the fridge although in cooler climates may be stored in a pantry.
• It is tastiest after one month as flavour matures.

Steps:

• Bring 1 1/2 pounds seedless green grapes, 3/4 cup sugar, 4 wide strips orange zest, 1/4 cup raisins, 2 tablespoons lemon juice and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt to a boil in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly and mashing the grapes against the side of the pan with a wooden spoon, until the mixture coats the spoon, 20 to 25 minutes. Stir in 1/4 cup chopped walnuts. Fill sterilized jars, leaving a 1/2-inch headspace, then seal and process (see Cook's Note) for 15 minutes.

Steps:

• Soak grape leaves in water for 20 minutes. Drain.
• Peel and slice carrots lengthwise and line bottom of pot with them. This helps keep the grape leaves from sticking to the pot.
• Soak rice in hot water for 10 minutes and drain. In a large bowl, combine rice, beef, onion, garlic, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and all spices.
• Place each grape leaf shiny side down with stem end toward you on a flat surface. Cut off stem. Place 1 tbsp of rice mixture on leaf near the stem end. Roll top over once, fold ends in, and continue to roll completely (rolling away from you). Repeat with remaining leaves.
• Arrange rolled grape leaves in pot seam side down, tightly packed. Place each layer in opposite direction of previous layer, in a criss-cross fashion. For even cooking, try to have no more than 4 layers.
• Combine lemon juice and oil and pour over grape leaves. Top with water until approximately 1" below top layer.
• Place large plate on top, and place a heavy weight on plate (a foil-wrapped brick works great).
• Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, until rice is thoroughly cooked. Allow to rest for 20-30 minutes.
• Serve with lemon wedges or Greek yogurt. Enjoy!