Ingredients and Preparation
To start, you’ll need these simple ingredients:
- Fresh grape leaves (about 30 leaves)
- 1 cup of cooked rice
- Half a cup of finely chopped fresh herbs (parsley, dill, and mint)
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup of olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Optional: Chopped nuts or raisins for a hint of crunch and sweetness
First, prepare the grape leaves. If you’re using leaves from a jar, rinse them under cold water to remove excess brine. For fresh leaves, blanch them in boiling water for a few seconds until they become soft, then drain and set aside.
