Vegetable Dolmades Recipes

Steps:

• Prepare an ice bath. Bring a large pot of water to a boil; add 1 tablespoon salt. Add the grape leaves and gently mix to separate them. Reduce the heat to simmer and cook for 10 minutes. Drain well, plunge into the ice bath and let cool for 2 minutes. Drain well again, separate and lay out on baking sheets lined with paper towels in a single layer. Remove 5 or so of the small or torn leaves and reserve for the bottom of the pan.
• Heat 1/4 cup of the oil in a medium high-sided saute pan over high heat. Add the onion, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring, until the onion is very soft, about 5 minutes; do not allow it to color. Add the rice and cook, stirring constantly, until opaque, about 2 minutes.
• Add the stock, currants and 2 tablespoons of the lemon juice; season with salt and pepper. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, uncovered and stirring a few times, until the rice absorbs the liquid, about 7 minutes. (The rice will only be par-cooked; it will continue to cook in the leaves.) Spread the rice out on a baking sheet to cool.
• When the rice is cooled, stir in the dill, parsley, green onion, pistachios and lemon zest; taste for seasoning.
• Lay a grape leaf on a work surface shiny-side down. Scoop 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons of the filling (depending on the size of the leaf) in your hand and lightly mold it into a log. Put the rice filling near the stem end of the leaf, fold the stem end over the filling, then fold both sides toward the middle and roll up into a cigar. Continue with the remaining leaves and filling.
• Lay the reserved grape leaves on the bottom of a small Dutch oven (this will keep the dolmades from sticking). Tightly fit the dolmades in the pan in a concentric circle, making several layers if needed. Drizzle some of the remaining lemon juice over each layer. Add enough water or stock to just come halfway up the side of the rolls (do not cover them) and drizzle with the remaining olive oil and a pinch of salt.
• Cut out a round of parchment to fit over the dolmades. Place a plate on top of the parchment and a bowl on top of the plate (to hold the rolls down while cooking). Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce to a simmer, cover the pot and cook (making sure it is simmering and not boiling), until the rice is cooked through, about 30 minutes. Remove from the heat and let sit, covered, for 10 minutes longer.
• Carefully remove the rolls to a serving dish. Serve warm, at room temperature or cold.

Steps:

• To make the filling, coat a large saute pan with 1/4 cup of the oil and place over medium heat. Add the onion, fennel and lemon zest and stir until soft, about 10 minutes. Add the pine nuts and rice, saute for 2 minutes, stirring to coat. Pour in just 1/2 cup of the chicken stock and lower the heat. Simmer until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is al dente, about 10 minutes. Scrape the parboiled rice mixture into a bowl and add the dill and parsley; season with salt and pepper. Allow to cool. Now on to the grape leaves.
• Bring a big pot of water to a simmer. Blanch the grape leaves in the hot water for 5 minutes until pliable. Drain then trim the stems and any hard veins from the leaves. Pat dry with paper towels.
• To assemble the dolmades, lay a grape leaf on a work surface, shiny-side down. Put 2 tablespoons of the rice filling near the stem end of the leaf. Fold the stem end over the filling, then fold both sides toward the middle, and roll up into a cigar ¿ it should be snug but not overly tight because the rice will swell once it is fully cooked. Squeeze lightly in the palm of your hand to secure the roll. Repeat with remaining grape leaves and filling.
• Place the dolmades in a large Dutch oven or wide deep skillet, seam-side down in a single layer. Pour the remaining cup of broth, remaining olive oil, and the lemon juice over the dolmades, the liquid should reach halfway up the rolls, add some water if necessary. Cover the pan and simmer over low heat for 30 to 40 minutes, until the dolmades are tender when pierced with a fork. Serve warm, at room temperature or cool.

Steps:

• Place currants in a small heatproof bowl and add enough water to cover. Set aside to plump for about 15 minutes.
• Place a medium skillet over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons oil, onion, and a pinch of salt. Cook stirring occasionally until translucent, about 6 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, for 2 minutes. Do not let garlic and onion brown.
• Stir in pine nuts and almonds and cook, stirring constantly, for 3 minutes. Add bell pepper and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Stir in cinnamon; season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Add rice and stir until the rice is well coated with oil, about 1 minute. Add 1 cup stock and cook, stirring constantly, until the rice has absorbed the stock, about 7 minutes. Stir in another 2 cups of stock until well blended, then fold in tomatoes.
• When the stock has reduced by two-thirds and the rice is still very firm (not quite al dente), drain the currants and fold them into the rice. Remove skillet from the heat and fold in mint, parsley, and 2 tablespoons of remaining olive oil, tossing to incorporate. Season with salt and pepper.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Fill a large bowl with ice and water. Set aside.
• Fill a large pot with cold water. Add a tablespoon of salt along with 3 tablespoons lemon juice and place over high heat. Bring to a boil and then add grape leaves, 3 or 4 at a time, cook for 30 seconds. Using a slotted spoon, transfer grape leaves to the ice-water bath to stop the cooking. Then transfer to a double layer of paper towel to drain. Pat dry. Repeat process until all grape leaves have been cooked.
• Line the bottom of a large baking dish with a single layer of grape leaves (about 7). Set aside.
• Working with one grape leaf at a time, place the leaf rib side up on a flat surface. Neatly remove the stem if necessary. Place 1 teaspoon of the cooled rice mixture near the bottom (the widest part of the leaf). Fold the bottom up over the rice filling and then fold each side in and over to cover. Begin rolling the leaf over the filling to make a tight, neat roll. Place the finished roll into the grape-leaf lined dish, seam side down. Continue making dolmades until you have 32, packing them tightly into the baking dish so that the rolls will stay together.
• Combine remaining 2 cups stock, remaining 2 tablespoons lemon juice, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Season with salt and pepper to taste and bring to a simmer. Remove from heat and pour the hot stock over the dolmades in the baking dish.
• Cover the dolmades with a single layer of grape leaves (another 7). Then place another smaller baking dish inside the pan to hold the dolmades firmly in place. Place the baking dish in the oven and bake until leaves are tender and filling is cooked through, 30 to 40 minutes. Remove from oven immediately drain off all liquid and discard.
• When cool, remove the top layer of grape leaves and place the dolmades on a serving platter if serving immediately. Alternatively, place in a covered container and refrigerate until ready to use. Serve at room temperature with yogurt-garlic sauce.