{"id":"recipe_2fb5c4d3e3","slug":"dolmades-stuffed-grape-leaves","title":"Dolmades (Stuffed Grape Leaves)","description":"A classic Mediterranean delicacy featuring tender grape leaves stuffed with a fragrant mixture of rice, fresh herbs, and zesty lemon.","serves":6,"time":{"prepMinutes":45,"cookMinutes":45,"totalMinutes":90,"activeMinutes":60},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"40-50 grape leaves","name":"Grape leaves","quantity":50,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":50,"usUnit":"piece","form":"preserved or fresh","notes":"brined and rinsed","group":"Wrapper","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"1 cup long-grain rice","name":"Long-grain rice","quantity":200,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1","usUnit":"cup","form":"uncooked","notes":"long-grain or Arborio","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"1 large yellow onion, finely chopped","name":"Yellow Onion","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"finely chopped","notes":"yellow","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"3 garlic cloves, minced","name":"Garlic","quantity":3,"unit":"clove","usQuantity":3,"usUnit":"clove","form":"minced","notes":"","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil","name":"Olive Oil","quantity":120,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"extra virgin","notes":"divided into two parts","group":"Cooking","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"1/4 cup fresh lemon juice","name":"Lemon juice","quantity":60,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1/4","usUnit":"cup","form":"freshly squeezed","notes":"","group":"Cooking","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped","name":"Dill","quantity":15,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/4","usUnit":"cup","form":"chopped","notes":"fresh","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped","name":"Chopped Parsley","quantity":15,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/4","usUnit":"cup","form":"chopped","notes":"fresh","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped","name":"Mint","quantity":5,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1","usUnit":"tbsp","form":"chopped","notes":"fresh","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-10","original":"2 cups vegetable broth","name":"Vegetable Broth","quantity":480,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"2","usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"","group":"Cooking","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-11","original":"1 teaspoon salt","name":"Salt","quantity":5,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1","usUnit":"tsp","form":"fine","notes":"to taste","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-12","original":"1/2 teaspoon black pepper","name":"Black Pepper","quantity":2,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"tsp","form":"ground","notes":"to taste","group":"Filling","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Rinse the grape leaves under cold water and pat them dry. If using fresh leaves, blanch them in boiling water for 2 minutes and then refresh in cold water.","group":"Preparation","title":"Rinse the grape leaves under cold water and pat them dry","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"In a large skillet, heat half of the olive oil (1/4 cup) over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onion until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and rice, and cook for another 2 minutes while stirring.","group":"Filling","title":"Heat half of the olive oil","timerMinutes":7,"sourceTitle":"Filling"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in the chopped dill, parsley, mint, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to combine.","group":"Filling","title":"Remove the skillet from heat","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Filling"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Place one grape leaf flat on a clean surface, vein side up. Place a teaspoon of the rice filling near the stem end. Fold the sides inward and roll the leaf tightly towards the tip, like a small cigar. Repeat with the remaining leaves and filling.","group":"Assembly","title":"Place one grape leaf flat","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Line the bottom of a heavy pot with any torn or unused grape leaves. Arrange the stuffed dolmades in tight layers, seam side down, to prevent them from opening during cooking.","group":"Cooking","title":"Line the bottom of a heavy pot","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Pour the remaining 1/4 cup olive oil, lemon juice, and vegetable broth over the dolmades. Place an inverted plate directly on top of the dolmades to keep them submerged. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes until the rice is tender and the liquid is mostly absorbed.","group":"Cooking","title":"Pour the remaining 1/4 cup olive oil, lemon juice, and vegetable broth","timerMinutes":45,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-7","text":"Remove from heat and let them cool in the pot for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the dolmades to firm up and absorb the remaining flavors.","group":"Serving","title":"Remove from heat and let them cool","timerMinutes":30,"sourceTitle":"Serving"}],"notes":"If using fresh grape leaves, blanch them in boiling water for 2 minutes before using. If using jarred leaves, rinse them thoroughly under cold water to remove the brine.","cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Greek"]},"course":["appetizer","side"],"cookingMethod":["simmer"],"equipment":["Large skillet","Heavy-bottomed pot","Inverted plate"],"diet":["vegan","vegetarian","mediterranean","low_fat","gluten_free"],"allergens":[],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":40,"unit":"piece","note":"Approximately 40-50 stuffed leaves"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"Dolmades taste even better the next day. They can be rolled and refrigerated raw for up to 24 hours, or cooked and stored."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.","reheatingNotes":"Can be served cold, at room temperature, or slightly warmed in the microwave."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_2fb5c4d3e3%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=f54b8bb9-a413-4dc7-91fc-10c5279ec211","imageAlt":"Dolmades (Stuffed Grape Leaves) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["healthy","vegan","vegetarian","mediterranean diet","rice stuffed","traditional"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Dolmades (Stuffed Grape Leaves)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T01:29:53.408Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T01:29:53.408Z","related":[{"id":"ac_l_ezme_d064be0373","slug":"acili-ezme","title":"Acılı Ezme","description":"A classic Turkish spicy vegetable salad and condiment featuring finely chopped tomatoes, peppers, and onions, balanced with the tang of pomegranate molasses and aromatic herbs.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":20,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Turkish"]},"course":["sauce","appetizer"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free","nut_free","low_carb"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fac_l_ezme_d064be0373%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=ac6fc624-4435-4cfa-9991-d45441036707","imageAlt":"Acılı Ezme — recipe cover","tags":["spicy","dip","vegetable","healthy","turkish","mezze"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":14,"stepCount":5},{"id":"recipe_2f05621352","slug":"bouyiourdi-greek-baked-feta","title":"Bouyiourdi (Greek Baked Feta)","description":"A traditional Greek meze featuring salty feta cheese baked until melted with juicy tomatoes, spicy peppers, and fragrant extra virgin olive oil.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Greek"]},"course":["appetizer"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_2f05621352%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=fd6db74e-cfd9-46b5-aa96-6e0e76c26c9a","imageAlt":"Bouyiourdi (Greek Baked Feta) — recipe cover","tags":["feta","baked cheese","greek meze","spicy","vegetarian"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":6,"stepCount":5},{"id":"recipe_66184712aa","slug":"creamy-homemade-hummus","title":"Creamy Homemade Hummus","description":"A silky, rich, and authentic Mediterranean chickpea dip blended with nutty tahini, fresh lemon juice, and aromatic garlic. Perfect for dipping or as a spread.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":15,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Levantine","Middle Eastern"]},"course":["appetizer","side"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free","high_protein","mediterranean","low_carb"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_66184712aa%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=648d20cf-84fe-4052-b8d8-79fced2e9554","imageAlt":"Creamy Homemade Hummus — recipe cover","tags":["hummus","chickpeas","vegan","healthy","mediterranean","dip","high protein","gluten free"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":8,"stepCount":5}]}