stuffed grape leaves and grecian lemon sauce

Cape Coral, FL
Updated on Aug 26, 2012

Take a tour of the Mediterranean with these Stuffed Grape Leaves. Soon I will add my recipe of Italian Stuffed Grape Leaves with Zesty Italian Sausage to use your other half of the jar of grape leaves.

prep time 35 Min
cook time 30 Min
method ---
yield 10-12 serving(s)

Ingredients

  • 1/2 jar large grape leave (devein by hand)
  • GRAPE LEAVE FILLING
  • 2 cups brown rice, quinoa, or couscous (uncooked)
  • 1 cup kalamata olives, pitted
  • 1/2-1 pound meat (lamb, quail, even chicken, pork, or beef)
  • 1 tablespoon chinese five spice
  • 3/4 cup pine nuts or almonds
  • - salt and pepper to taste
  • GRECIAN LEMON SAUCE
  • 1 stick butter
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 3 cups milk
  • 1 - lemon, sliced
  • 1 - bay leaf
  • 1 - anise star
  • 1/2 cup white wine
  • 1 teaspoon dill
  • 1 teaspoon rosemary
  • 1 teaspoon thyme
  • 1 teaspoon tarragon
  • - salt and pepper to taste

How To Make stuffed grape leaves and grecian lemon sauce

  • Step 1
    Remove grape leaves from jar. Place on a flat surface. Toward the bottom of the leaf, remove the thick, fibrous stem and vein. Discard stem etc. Set leaves aside.
  • Step 2
    For grape leaf filling, place all ingredients in a pot with enough water to cook quinoa/rice/couscous. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and cover.
  • Step 3
    When both grain and meat are cooked, remove meat and debone. Then place meat back in and put entire mix into the food processor. Give a quick rough chop. Set aside temporarily.
  • Step 4
    To start sauce, melt butter in sauce pan then add flour to make your roux. Stir.
  • Step 5
    Add milk, lemon, bay leaf, and anise star. Cook over a medium to low heat, covered. Stirring occasionally while you roll grape leaves.
  • Step 6
    In a side dish, combine white wine and dry herbs. Set aside.
  • Step 7
    Preheat over to 325.
  • Step 8
    To roll grape leave, place a large spoon full in the center in a rectangular shape, fold in sides, then roll from top of the leave to bottom. Place in a casserole dish sprayed with olive oil. Continue until all filling is finished.
  • Step 9
    Back to lemon sauce, your sauce should be thickened now. Remove anise star, lemon, and bay leaf. Pour in wine/herbs and whisk thoroughly. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  • Step 10
    Pour sauce over grape leaves. Optionally place lemons from pot atop. This will make it taste zest heavy.
  • Step 11
    Place in over for 20 minutes. Then serve.
  • Step 12
    I like to serve this with my other two recipes. https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/sauce-spread/fruit-sauce/mediterranean-fruit-spiced-applesauce.html https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/side/vegetable/baked-tandoori-lentils.html

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