Fresh Turkish Stuffed Grape Leaves
Ingredients
- 400 g fresh grape leaves
- 2.5 cups rice
- 3 medium onions
- 3 medium tomatoes
- 4 cloves garlic
- 2 green peppers
- 1 red bell pepper
- A handful of parsley and mint
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 tablespoon dried mint
- 1 tablespoon red pepper paste
Cooking additions
- 1 cup water
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
Preparation
First, boil the grape leaves in boiling water until they change color.
After boiling, let them cool, squeeze out the water and cut the stems, but do not throw them away as they will be used at the bottom of the pot.
Wash the rice and drain it.
Chop all the vegetables finely and add them to the rice.
Add the spices, salt, and oil, then mix everything well.
Put about a teaspoon of the filling mixture into each grape leaf and roll it tightly until all the filling is used.
After rolling, place the cut stems at the bottom of the pot and arrange the rolls tightly on top.
Add salt, oil, and water to the pot.
I prefer to cook it in a pressure cooker for 10 minutes.
Alternatively, you can cook it in a regular pot by adding enough water to cover the rolls, placing a plate on top to keep them submerged, bringing it to a boil, then simmering until the rolls are tender.
Notes
Did not use lemon because fresh leaves are used, otherwise it would be too sour.
