Yaprak Sarma (Stuffed Grape Leaves)
Yaprak Sarma is a traditional Turkish dish featuring grape leaves stuffed with a savory mixture of rice, herbs, and spices, rolled into small parcels and cooked to perfection.
Ingredients
- 200 g grape leaves fresh or jarred
- 1 cup short-grain rice washed and drained
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp pine nuts optional
- 1 tbsp currants optional
- 2 tbsp fresh dill chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
- 1 tsp dried mint
- 1 tsp cinnamon optional
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 lemon sliced
- 2 cups hot water
Instructions
- Blanch the grape leaves in boiling water for 2-3 minutes if using fresh leaves. Set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a pan and sauté the onions until soft. Add rice, pine nuts, currants, and spices, stirring well. Cook for 5 minutes. Stir in dill and parsley.
- Place a grape leaf shiny side down. Add 1 teaspoon of filling near the stem end and fold the sides over, then roll tightly. Repeat with remaining leaves and filling.
- Arrange the rolls seam-side down in a pot. Layer lemon slices on top. Add hot water to just cover the rolls, place a plate over them, and simmer gently for 40 minutes.
- Serve warm or at room temperature with lemon wedges.
NUTRITION FACTS (Per Serving)
Calories: 200 kcal
Carbohydrates: 25 g
Fat: 10 g
Protein: 3 g