Greek Stuffed Grape Leaves

This is indeed a very delicious Greek vegetarian dish where rice is combined with fresh dill, garlic and scallions. The taste of grape leaves makes the masterpiece complete.

Preparation time: 15 minutes 50-60 minutes
Cooking time: 45 minutes
Makes 50 dolmades

Ingredients

½ cup fresh lemon juice
¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
Kosher salt, to taste
1 large yellow onion, minced
 ½ cup long-grain rice
2 scallions, minced
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
3 tbsp fresh dill, minced
1 16oz (454g) bottle of grape leaves, drained and unrolled

Directions

1. Place the grape leaves in a large pot of boiling water and cook for 1-2 minutes over a moderate heat. Gently drain, stem the leaves and set aside.
2. Add ½-cup oil to a large frying pan and set over a medium-high heat.
3. Add the onions, scallions and garlic, and cook until tender, stirring frequently, for about 3-5 minutes. Stir in the rice and stir-fry for 2- 3 minutes until toasted.
4. Pour in 1¾ cups of water, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and cook covered, stirring from time to time, for a further 15 minutes, or until all the liquid has been absorbed.
5. Add the dill, stir, and remove the rice from the heat.
6. Place 4-5 grape leaves on the bottom of the pot.
7. To start rolling the dolmades: Place 2 teaspoons of the rice mixture in the center of each leaf and fold the leaf over the rice. Then fold the left and right edges over the top, and gently roll to get a small cylinder. Place the folded dolmades in the pot, seam side down. Repeat this until all the filling and grape leaves have been used.
8. In a small bowl, mix together the lemon juice, remaining oil and 1 cup of water, and pour over the stuffed leaves. Put a small plate over the dolmades to ensure they remain submerged, and put the pot over a medium heat. Once it begins to boil, reduce the heat and simmer until the rice is cooked through, for about 18-20 minutes.
9. Place the cooked dolmades onto a serving platter, add some cooking liquid over and serve.