Stuffed beef in grape leaves (Armenian Recipe)

INGREDIENTS

Grape leaves (fresh or salted)  40-50 pcs.
Water for grape leaves  - 500ml

For the filling

Beef - 500-600 g
Rice - 1 cup
Onion - 1 pcs
Coriander, rosemary, parsley - 1,5 cup
Tomato paste - ½ cup
Green basil, mint, dill, cilantro on a small beam
Tomato - 1,5 pcs
Black pepper - 1tsp
Red pepper - 1tbsp
Paprika - 1tbsp
Dried basil - ¼ cup
Salt - 2 tbsp

For sauce

Sour cream, natural yoghurt, matzoni - 1 cup
Garlic  2-4 cloves
Green basil, cilantro, dill or parsley



COOKING METHOD

1. Place the grape leaves in a bowl, pour boiling water and leave for 5-7 minutes.
2. Fold the leaves in a colander․ Drain the water, remove excess water from the leaves.
3. Place the ground beef in a bowl, add small
chopped onion, rice, chopped greens, salt, pepper, dried basil and tomato paste.
4. Mix well the filling.
5. Place the grape leaves shiny-side down on a table and the vein side up. Add a little of a the filling mixture to the center of the leaf. First fold the filling by bending the top edges of the leaf. Then fold the filling with the sides of the leaf and roll into a tight tube.
6. After it,  put it all on the bottom of the heavy-bottomed pot, but beforehand cover the bottom of the heavy-bottomed pot with layer of sliced tomatoes.
7. Pour water level over grape tubes.
8. Cook on low heat for 30-40 minutes.

Prepare the sauce

1. Wash, dry and chop the greens.
2. Peel the garlic and chop it finely.
3. Mix sour cream with garlic and greens, add salt to taste and mix.
4. Cool the sauce in the fridge for 2-4 hours.
5. Serve the hot dolma with sauce.


Enjoy your meal!