For years, my family has enjoyed these little delicacies!
Have you ever eaten Stuffed Grape Leaves? I am sharing a classic traditional recipe today, by way of my 'bil' Michel and my niece Mariam. There are no doubt countless ways to make these babies.. but this is a classic recipe from Lebanon, which I have enjoyed and want to inspire you to try!
Stuffed Grape Leaves
Ingredients
- 1 litre jar of grape leaves rinsed and drained well
- 4 skinless bone-in chicken thighs
- ½ lemon organic, sliced into four thick slices
- 1 heaping tablespoon cinnamon powder
Filling
- 3 cups Basmati rice uncooked
- 2 medium onions very finely chopped
- 4 medium tomatoes very finely chopped
- 1 large bunch of parsley curly type best (very finely chopped)
- ½ lemon juiced
- 1 ½ teaspoon "seven spices"*
- 2 teaspoons of sea salt
- 3 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
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Combine the "filling" ingredients.
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Make sure that they are all combined very well.
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Set aside.
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Remove skin from the chicken thighs.
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Slice the remaining ½ of the lemon into 4 slices.
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Put the chicken into a large pot and top with the lemon slices.
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De-stem the grape leaves. Set aside on paper towel covered plate (to allow brine to drain off)
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Place the leaves on the work surface, smooth side 'up'(this side is a darker green)
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Note: the very veiny side is NOT the side that the stuffing goes on
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(it faces out, to allow thorough cooking)
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Place the well mixed stuffing on the leaf in a narrow line with a little room remaining at each side of the leaf and at the bottom as well.
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After doing so, fold the sides of the leaf inward over the stuffing with a little space in the middle.
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Then, take the bottom of the leaf and roll upwards keeping the sides of the leaf tucked in and make sure your leaf is rolled tightly.
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You should end up with a cigar-shaped leaf 'package'
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Place each rolled grape leaf into the pot forming a layer atop the chicken and sliced lemons
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Make a second and third layer (this will depend upon the size or your pot and the number of rolled grape leaves.
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Place a plate on top of the leaves, inside the pot
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In a bowl, mix together 1 tablespoon cinnamon powder with 2 litres of fresh water
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Pour the 'cinnamon water' over the entire mixture, ensuring that the water level is above the plate
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Place on stove on high heat to bring all to a boil and then turn the heat down to medium, and cook for 1.5 hours with a lid on the pot
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It's all done when you remove one stuffed grape leaf and have a taste.
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If the rice inside the leaf is cooked, it's done! If not, replace the lid and cook for another 15 minutes.
Recipe Notes
There are several types of "Seven Spice" blends. See below for one blend + ideas.
As the layers of grape leaves are place in a round pot, the grape leaves form a star shape. When creating the next level, place the grape leaves in alternate position (i.e. not exactly on top of level below) It'll be obvious when you are doing it. (teehee)
Adapted from Via my family members Michel & Mariam
The "Seven Spices" used in this recipe:
Black Pepper
Cinnamon
Cloves
Coriander
Cumin
Ginger
Nutmeg
You can find mixtures like these online, at a Middle Eastern store, or make your own. Use equal parts of each, in the list above.
We have abundant wild grapes available in the countryside. I've always wanted to make use of these but, in the interest of time, I confess, the yummy leaves are purchased "ready to go" ~ for now. I use these grape leaves from Krinos:
Krinos Gourmet Grape Leaves in Vinegar Brine, 16 Ounces, 454 grams
This may all change, however, as I've just read a very informative post from my friend Chris over at JoyBilee Farm about how to ferment grape leaves, easily at home. I just love learning!
Here's to making nutritious and fun-filled food and memories ~
Green Blessings, all.. Carol
Rania
stuffed grape leaves is an old syrian recipe, it can be made in different ways one is served cold and the other usually made with meat and rice is served hot, different stuffing We actually use cabbage leaves as well and that one is my favorite. Syrian cuisine influenced many neighboring countries and is often mistaken as lebanese or turkish even some times we see traces of it in Italy and Greece.
Carol Little
Thanks for sharing Rania. I learned from my Lebanese b-i-l so I am just sharing the recipe he learned from his grandmother -- I am certain that so many recipes from the region have been adapted over and over and evolved over time too. They are ALL delicious!
Emily @ Recipes to Nourish
These sound delicious! I have never made stuffed grapes leaves before. It sounds like its really easy to make!
linda spiker
I have never fermented grape leaves. So interesting and lovely!
Carol Little
Me neither!! The post is actually using grape leaves from a glass jar. The recipe is wonderful using these prepared leaves.
The wonderful link to Chris's site, is about the fermentation -- and on my list of things to learn!!
Ellen
Hi Carol, I'm a little confused about the chicken thighs and the cooking process. Am I missing something? After you roll up the grape leaves how do you cook them? Do you put them in the pot with the skinned chicken thighs and cook them all together? I've got tons of wild grapes growing near me and I'd like to try your recipe.
Carol Little
Thanks Ellen~ Recipe should be MORE complete now. Thanks SO much for bringing to my attention. Please tell me if this all makes more sense now!! Have fun!
Chris
Thanks for sharing my post for fermenting grape leaves. They are so easy to make and will keep for months in the fridge once you've fermented them at room temperature. I'm going to be making some this week and I'm going to try your traditional Lebanese recipe.
Carol Little
Great Chris! Please share how it goes!!