The Bag Messenger BlogBag Design and Urban Living

This week we have our recipe for stuffed grape leaves. This is one of the things I like to make during the hot months of the spring and summer. Because the process of making these things is relatively time consuming I suggest you make a large batch at once, and perhaps consider enlisting the help of some friends.

-The Bag Messenger 

 

 

 

 

Ingredients

 

1 Large jar of Grape leaves in brine

3 cups of rice

2 quarts of tomato sauce

1 cup olive oil

1 cup pine nuts

1 table Spoon salt & 1 table spoon pepper

crushed red pepper

2 cloves garlic

2 lemons

Prep

• Cook rice in a 2 to 1 ratio of rice to water in large pot; adding rice to water when water boils...Continue to boil until the rice begins to thicken, reduce heat and cover pot
• Add pine nuts when the rice is done
• Add tomato sauce
• Season with 1 table Spoon salt & 1 table spoon pepper and crushed red pepper

Process 

•  Line 2 large baking dishes with grape leaves (bottom and sides) spoon one heaping table spoon of rice mixture into the center of an open grape leave and roll the leaf with the sides tucked in so as to enclose the rice.
•  Continue until you are out of grape leaves. Make sure you stack the finished rolls in orderly fashion, rearranging dolmades usually results in casualties. 
• Squeeze the lemon juice over the rolled grape leaves 
• Put the finished tray of grape leaves into preheated oven (300 degrees) 
•  Cook for one hour
•  Take them out and let them chill

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Serve them chilled with olives, fresh feta, cucumbers and fruit for a nice spring meal.

 

 Enjoy!!

 

 

 

 

Get the simple messenger bag here. The perfect bag for a day of running around with room for life's large and small ingredients .