Recipe: Vegetarian Stuffed Grape Leaves

Whether you are looking to make a delicious snack, or add a healthy vegetarian appetizer to your meal, Lebanese Stuffed Grape Leaves are a savoury treat that is sure to please. The wonderful thing about making grape leaves is how easily customizable they are. This article will cover how to make vegetarian, Lebanese-style stuffed grape leaves; however, you can substitute the filling ingredients to make them your own! Aside from a vegetarian filling option, another popular stuffing includes meat, most commonly beef or lamb.

Ingredients

This delicious and easy-to-follow recipe serves four people. To change the serving amount, divide the ingredients by the number of servings you wish to prepare. From preparing your ingredients to cooking your stuffed grape leaves, this recipe will require about two hours of your time (it’s worth it, we promise!). For this recipe, you will need:

• 1lb of Grape Leaves
• 1 large tomato, sliced
• 2 medium-sized tomatoes, chopped finely
• 1 bunch of parsley, diced (no stems)
• 1 bunch of green onions, finely chopped
• 1 medium-sized onion, sliced finely
• 1 cup of lemon juice
• 1 small lemon, sliced thinly or as wedges (optional)
• ½ cup of chickpeas
• ½ cup of your choice of rice
• 2 teaspoons of salt
• ¾ cup of extra-virgin olive oil (can be substituted with regular olive oil)
• 2 cups of water

How to Make Vegetarian Stuffed Grape Leaves, Lebanese Style

1. Follow cooking instructions for making ½ cup of rice. Depending on which type of rice you are using, cooking directions and times will vary.
2. Next, slice your large tomato and medium-sized onion and arrange them in the bottom of a large-sized pot. Let sit.
3. In a medium-sized bowl, combine parsley, green onions, chickpeas, rice, finely chopped tomatoes, 1 teaspoon of salt, ¼ cup of olive oil, and ¼ cup of lemon juice. Mix ingredients.
4. Prepare your grape leaves as follows: For canned grape leaves, drain the water and soak the leaves in hot water for 3-4 minutes. Rinse off the leaves and cut off their stems. If you are using fresh grape leaves, wash well and boil in water for 40 minutes. Once cooked, cut off the stems.
5. After your grape leaves are prepared, lay them on a clean surface with the rough side facing upwards. Add a teaspoon (or less depending on the size of your grape leaves) of your stuffing mix towards the bottom of the leaf.
6. Roll the grape leaf starting from the bottom, then fold over the left side on top, followed by the right side of the leaf. Next, roll from the bottom of the leaf to the top until your grape leaf is completely rolled tightly.
7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 until all your grape leaves and stuffing are used.
8. Once all your grape leaves are rolled, stack them on top of your tomatoes and onions in a pot. Then add 1 teaspoon of salt, ¾ cup of lemon juice, ½ cup of olive oil, and 2 cups of water on top.
9. To cook your grape leaves, cover the stacked leaves in the pot with a microwave-safe plate and press downwards. Cover the pot and cook on high heat.
10. Once boiled, turn down the heat to low and let simmer for 40 minutes. While cooking, be sure to shake the pot lightly to ensure the liquid is equally dispersed. This will help avoid your grape leaves sticking to the pot.
11. Once cooked uncover the pot, remove the microwave-safe plate, and set to cool for about an hour.

Serving your Stuffed Grape Leaves

To serve your stuffed grape leaves, gently stack your cooked grape leaves on a serving plate. Optionally, add a drizzle of the sauce from the bottom of the pot (onion and tomato mixture) and lemon wedges to the dish. Serve and enjoy!

Basha’s Stuffed Grape Leaves

On days where you do not feel like preparing your own stuffed grape leaves, we offer delicious home-made grape leaves that are vegetarian. Our grape leaves can be ordered as an appetizer or as a side to any order! Basha’s stuffed grape leaves are stuffed with a delicious medley of rice, chickpea bits, onions, and diced parsley, served with tomatoes and lemon. Visit our menu to view other delicious meals, appetizers, and desserts to add to your meal. When you are ready, contact us to place your order!