What are the primary ingredients and prepping instructions in the traditional Greek dolmades recipe mentioned in the article?
Delicious Dolmades: A Traditional Greek Appetizer Recipe You’ll Love
Welcome to our kitchen where today, we will be taking you through a culinary journey to Greece, specifically, the art of making Dolmades. These stuffed grape leaves are a traditional Greek dish that can be served as an appetizer or side dish, and are guaranteed to excite your taste buds with their medley of Mediterranean flavors.
Ingredients:
- 50 vine leaves (canned or fresh)
- 1 1/2 cups of long-grain rice
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 1 bunch of dill, finely chopped
- 1 bunch of mint, finely chopped
- 3 tablespoons of pine nuts
- Juice of 2 lemons
- 1 cup of olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Prepare the vine leaves: If using fresh, boil them for 2-3 minutes. If canned, rinse well with warm water.
- In a large pan, sauté the onions with half of the olive oil until translucent. Add the pine nuts and sauté until golden brown.
- Add the rice and sauté for a minute. Then, add in the dill, mint, salt, pepper, the rest of the olive oil, and the juice of one lemon. Stir well.
- Place a spoonful of the filling in the center of a vine leaf and fold the sides and roll into a cigar shape. Repeat for the remaining leaves and filling.
- Place the rolls seam side down in a pot, add the rest of the lemon juice, and enough water to cover the rice. Cook on low heat for about 50-60 minutes.
- Let them cool and serve with a drizzle of olive oil and lemon slices.
From the crispness of the vine leaves to the aromatics of dill and mint and the tangy punch from the lemon, Dolmades truly are a joy to prepare, serve, and most importantly, eat! They’re sure to be a hit at your next dinner party or family gathering, or even just as a delicious part of a weekday meal. We hope you enjoy making and eating this traditional Greek appetizer as much as we do! Kali Orexi, or, as we say in English, Bon Appetit!