Grape leaves stuffed with rice

Prepare grapevine leaves: Cut stems, wash well and boil for a few minutes. Remove and set aside. (You can step if you purchase the store bought ready to use grapvine leaves).

How to make the filling: Clean and dice onions. Place in a casserole with the oil and brown lightly. Add rice and cook for a few minutes and add 1 ½ - 2 cups water. Then add parsley, dill, mint, salt and pepper. Let simmer until the fluids are absorbed and the rice is half cooked.

How to fold the dolmades: Place a grapevine leaf in the palm of your hand. Place 1 teaspoon of the filling on the edge of the leaf. Fold the two other sides of the leaf inward to enclose the filling tightly. Then start rolling the rest of the leave as you would do a cigarette. Make sure that the shiny part of the leaf is facing out. (See youtube video) Place each roll on rows into a casserole with the open side at the bottom. Add oil, salt and pepper and cover them with a plate (this keeps them in place while they are cooking). Cover halfway with hot water mixed with the juice of one lemon and boil down until only the oil is left.

Serve hot or cold and garnish with lemon slices. I like to dip them into tzatziki sauce or even plain Greek yogurt.

P.S. As this recipe is time consuming, you can also purchase store bought dolmades that are very as tasty.