DECONSTRUCTED DOLMADES (UNSTUFFED GRAPE LEAVES)

Deconstructed Dolmades (Unstuffed Grape Leaves) image

My family loves my dolmades (stuffed grape leaves) but they are a bit too much effort for a weeknight dinner. I recently tried deconstructing them and was very happy with the results. I hope you like them too.

Provided by Matt Redmond

Categories 100+ Everyday Cooking Recipes

Time 1h5m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
½ (9 ounce) jar grape leaves, drained and rinsed
water to cover
1 pound lean ground beef
6 cups chicken broth, or more as needed
2 ½ large lemons, juiced, divided
1 medium onion, finely chopped
½ cup chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon dried mint
1 tablespoon dried dill weed
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cornstarch, or as needed

Steps:

Soak rice in a bowl of cool water for 15 to 30 minutes.
Coarsely chop the grape leaves and place in fresh water to soak.
Heat a 2- to 3-quart pan over medium-high heat. Cook and stir beef until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain and discard grease. Add broth, juice of 1 lemon, onion, parsley, olive oil, mint, dill, pepper, and salt. Drain grape leaves and add to the pan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 10 minutes.
Rinse and drain rice, then add to the pot. Bring to a simmer and cook, uncovered, until tender, 12 to 15 minutes. Gradually add more chicken broth as needed keep liquid level above the meat-rice mixture. Be careful not to overcook the rice.
Drain cooking liquid into another pan to make the sauce. Add remaining lemon juice; season with salt and pepper. Mix in enough cornstarch until sauce resembles a medium-bodied gravy. Ladle sauce generously over the meat-rice mixture.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 506.7 calories, Carbohydrate 54.7 g, Cholesterol 77.6 mg, Fat 21.1 g, Fiber 5 g, Protein 27.9 g, SaturatedFat 6.8 g, Sodium 3025.4 mg, Sugar 3.1 g