Traditional Turkish Dolma Recipe (Yaprak Sarma)
A delicious and flavorful dish that is enjoyed by the whole family.
Ingredients
For the filling
- 1 lb grape leaves
- 2 cup white rice uncooked
- 2 onions finely chopped
- 1 cup tomatoes (peeled and finely chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic finely chopped
- ½ cup parsley finely chopped
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 2 tsp dried mint
- 1 tsp sumac
- 1½ tsp salt
- 3-4 tsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 cup water
For the sauce
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tomato diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp fresh mint
- 1½ tbsp tomato paste
Instructions
- To prepare Yaprak Sarma, start by boiling a pot of water. Once the water is boiling, add the grape leaves and let them cook for approximately 4 minutes. After that, rinse the grape leaves with cold water, drain them, and set them aside for later use.
- One of the key steps to making perfect Yaprak Sarma is soaking the rice in warm water for 30 minutes before cooking. After 30 minutes have passed, drain off any remaining water from the bowl and rinse the rice thoroughly with cold water.
- In a medium saucepan heat olive oil over medium heat gently sauté the chopped onion until turns golden brown, then add the rice, and spices and pour water in the saucepan. Stir the mixture well before covering it and cooking it gently for approximately 10 minutes.
- To prepare Yaprak Sarma, lay a grape leaf flat on a dish with its shiny side facing downwards. Scope a teaspoon of stuffing onto the part near the stem. Fold both sides inward and roll the wrap upwards in a cigar-like manner. Ensure that it's not too loose or too tight. Repeat until all the filling or leaves are used up.
- Arrange the Yaprak Sarma leaves in the pot, stacking them if necessary. Drizzle lemon juice and oil over the leaves. To prevent them from unfolding during cooking, place a plate (upside down) on top of the leaves. Pour enough boiling water over the Yaprak Sarma to cover them completely.
- Heat the water until it boils, then cover the pot with a lid and lower the heat to medium or low. Let it cook for 40 minutes.
- Serve warm and add plain yogurt on the side. Enjoy!