These vegetarian filled grape leaves, dawali bel zait, are a lovely dish to make and share.
Ingredients
- 1 jar grape leaves (16 ounce)
- 1 1/2 cup short grain rice rinsed and soaked 2 hrs
- 1 large heirloom tomato = 2 medium tomatoes
- Chopped fine
- 1 large bunch of parsley chopped fine
- 2 shallots chopped fine
- 1 1/2 tbs dry mint
- 1/3 cup Olive oil
- 1/4 cup pomegranate molasses
- 2 tbs lemon juice
- 1 tsp salt + black pepper
- Green almonds ( optional )
- 1 tomato sliced in circles
- 2/3 cup water
Instructions
- 1- empty the jar of grape leaves in a bowl, get rid of the water, rinse 3-5 times in cold water then add faucet hottest water and let it soak for 30 minutes. Rinse one final time and it’s ready.
- 2- strain the rice from the soaking water and rinse one last time. Add the tomato, parsley, 2 shallots, 1 1/2 tablespoons of dry mint, 1/3 cup of olive oil, 1/4 cup of pomegranate molasses, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, salt and black pepper and mix well.
- 3- start wrapping the individual leaves (refer to the reel on the how-to) it’s super easy. Think of wrapping a cigar and don’t over fill because you want to make sure you have enough space for the rice to expand as it cooks.
- 5- using a 5 quart pot lay the slices of tomato at the bottom add the green almonds (optional) if you can still find it, that’s quite a treat!! lay the wrapped grape leaves neatly on top of the tomato making sure it’s leveled.
- 6- sprinkle a 1/2 tsp salt on top add the juices from the stuffing then add the water, place a plate on top and cover. Turn the heat on high until it starts bubbling, then turn it down between low and simmer and let it cook for 1:30 hrs, you can test a stuffed grape leave for doneness. In order to keep a vibrant green color keep it covered until it cooled completely.
- 7- arrange in a plate and enjoy. I would advise making this dish a day before because it will take easy 4-5 hrs to prepare and cook, especially if you are having company over!!
- And the beauty of it is you take it out of the fridge, let it get to room temperature and it’s ready to be served.