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Aromatic Stuffed Grape Leaves
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Stuffed Grape Leaves

Delightfully Scrumptious appetizer from the Mediterranean!

Ingredients

  • 1 litre jar of grape leaves rinsed and drained well
  • 4 skinless bone-in chicken thighs
  • ½ lemon organic, sliced into four thick slices
  • 1 heaping tablespoon cinnamon powder

Filling

  • 3 cups Basmati rice uncooked
  • 2 medium onions very finely chopped
  • 4 medium tomatoes very finely chopped
  • 1 large bunch of parsley curly type best (very finely chopped)
  • ½ lemon juiced
  • 1 ½ teaspoon "seven spices"*
  • 2 teaspoons of sea salt
  • 3 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

  • Combine the "filling" ingredients.
  • Make sure that they are all combined very well.
  • Set aside.
  • Remove skin from the chicken thighs.
  • Slice the remaining ½ of the lemon into 4 slices.
  • Put the chicken into a large pot and top with the lemon slices.
  • De-stem the grape leaves. Set aside on paper towel covered plate (to allow brine to drain off)
  • Place the leaves on the work surface, smooth side 'up'(this side is a darker green)
  • Note: the very veiny side is NOT the side that the stuffing goes on
  • (it faces out, to allow thorough cooking)
  • Place the well mixed stuffing on the leaf in a narrow line with a little room remaining at each side of the leaf and at the bottom as well.
  • After doing so, fold the sides of the leaf inward over the stuffing with a little space in the middle.
  • Then, take the bottom of the leaf and roll upwards keeping the sides of the leaf tucked in and make sure your leaf is rolled tightly.
  • You should end up with a cigar-shaped leaf 'package'
  • Place each rolled grape leaf into the pot forming a layer atop the chicken and sliced lemons
  • Make a second and third layer (this will depend upon the size or your pot and the number of rolled grape leaves.
  • Place a plate on top of the leaves, inside the pot
  • In a bowl, mix together 1 tablespoon cinnamon powder with 2 litres of fresh water
  • Pour the 'cinnamon water' over the entire mixture, ensuring that the water level is above the plate
  • Place on stove on high heat to bring all to a boil and then turn the heat down to medium, and cook for 1.5 hours with a lid on the pot
  • It's all done when you remove one stuffed grape leaf and have a taste.
  • If the rice inside the leaf is cooked, it's done! If not, replace the lid and cook for another 15 minutes.

Notes

There are several types of "Seven Spice" blends. See below for one blend + ideas.
As the layers of grape leaves are place in a round pot, the grape leaves form a star shape. When creating the next level, place the grape leaves in alternate position (i.e. not exactly on top of level below) It'll be obvious when you are doing it. (teehee)
Adapted from Via my family members Michel & Mariam