Sarma with Grape Leaves Recipe

Experience the delicious tradition of the Sarma with Grape Leaves recipe, a classic Mediterranean dish featuring tender grape leaves stuffed with a savory mixture of rice, herbs, and spices. This flavorful recipe is perfect as an appetizer or a light main course and is loved for its balance of textures and fresh, zesty taste.

The Sarma with Grape Leaves recipe is easy to prepare but impressively rich in flavor, combining aromatic herbs like dill and parsley with tangy lemon juice and a hint of olive oil. Wrapped tightly in grape leaves, the filling steams to perfection, resulting in a dish that’s both wholesome and elegant.

Enjoy Sarma with Grape Leaves as part of a mezze platter or alongside your favorite Mediterranean meals for a true taste of tradition.

Ingredients:

20-25 grape leaves (fresh or jarred, depending on availability)
500g (1 lb) ground beef
1 cup rice (washed)
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil (or butter)
1 teaspoon paprika (sweet or smoked)
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin (optional)
2 tablespoons tomato paste (or 2 medium tomatoes, finely chopped)
2 cups beef broth (or water)
1 bay leaf
1/4 cup white wine or vinegar (optional for tang)
1 tablespoon dried dill (optional for flavor)
1 tablespoon olive oil or melted butter (for drizzling)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Grape Leaves:

If using jarred grape leaves, rinse them well to remove the brine and soak them in warm water for about 15 minutes to soften.
If using fresh grape leaves, blanch them in boiling water for 1-2 minutes until they soften, then drain and set them aside.

2. Prepare the Filling:

In a large pan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil (or butter) over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, cooked onions, rice, paprika, black pepper, salt, thyme (if using), cumin (if using), and tomato paste (or chopped tomatoes). Mix everything thoroughly until it forms a well-combined filling. The mixture should be moist from the tomato paste, but not too wet. If it’s dry, add a small amount of water or broth to achieve the right texture.

3. Stuff the Grape Leaves:

Lay a grape leaf flat on a clean surface, with the vein side up. Place a spoonful of the beef filling in the center, fold the sides of the leaf inward, and then roll it up tightly from the bottom to the top, similar to a burrito.
Repeat this process with the rest of the grape leaves and filling. Make sure the rolls are snug, as this helps them cook evenly.

4. Layer the Sarma:

In a large pot, arrange the rolled sarma tightly in layers. You can place some extra grape leaves on the bottom of the pot to prevent the rolls from sticking to the bottom.
Once all the rolls are arranged, pour beef broth (or water) over them, making sure the sarma is mostly submerged. Add a bay leaf and a splash of white wine or vinegar (for a little tang).
Drizzle a little olive oil or melted butter over the top of the sarma.

5. Cook the Sarma:

Cover the pot with a lid and bring it to a boil over medium heat. Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently for 1.5 to 2 hours. You may want to check occasionally and add more broth or water if the pot gets too dry.
The sarma is ready when the rice is cooked through, and the flavors have melded together.

6. Serve:

Remove the pot from the heat and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
You can serve the sarma with a side of mashed potatoes, bread, or yogurt for a complete meal. Optionally, garnish with a sprinkle of fresh dill or a dollop of sour cream.

Tips:

For even more flavor, you can cook the sarma in the oven. After layering them in the pot, cover with foil and bake at 180°C (350°F) for about 1.5 hours.
If you prefer a richer taste, you can add a few spoonfuls of tomato sauce or diced smoked meats between the layers.
For extra tenderness, some people add a small piece of bone-in meat (like beef ribs) to the pot while cooking, but this is optional.

Enjoy your flavorful Sarma !

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