Grape leaves are one of the famous popular dishes in the Arab kitchen, and this famous dish is usually served at parties, holidays and special occasions, and it is used in preparing various dishes, and it can be served cold as an appetizer at banquets, and it can be served as a main dish, and among the forms of stuffed grape leaves dishes is that it is stuffed with meat, rice or vegetables, and the following is how to make stuffed grape leaves with meat by following several simple steps that Chef Fatima Abdel Moneim referred to during her talk to “The Seventh Day”.

the components:

– A kilo of fresh grape leaves

– 500 grams of minced meat

– 1 chopped onion

– 1/2 cup of rice

– 1/4 cup of chopped parsley

– 1/4 cup chopped mint

– 1/4 cup of olive oil

– 1/4 cup of lemon juice

– Salt and pepper to taste

Stuffed Grape Leaves

Method:

1. Wash the grape leaves well with cold water and leave them in salted water for 30 minutes to reduce the acidity.

2. Heat the oil in a frying pan, add the chopped onions and sauté until translucent.

3. Add the minced meat and fry until browned.

4. Add the rice, parsley, mint, salt and pepper and stir well.

5. Add the water and leave the mixture on a low heat until the rice is tender.

6. Add the lemon juice and leave the mixture to cool.

7. Separate the grape leaves from the stems and place them in a bowl of hot water to facilitate turning.

8. Place a teaspoon of the filling in the center of each paper and fold the paper towards the top, bottom, and sides until it is formed into a rectangle.

9. Stack the stuffing in a cooking pot and cover it with excess grape leaves.

10. Add water, salt and pepper to taste and leave the stuffed on a low heat for 45 minutes until tender.

11. Serve hot stuffed with green salad.

Note: Rice can be used instead of meat in this recipe for a vegetarian stuffing.