Clay-cooked Dolmathakia me Kima: Meat and Rice-Stuffed Grape Leaves

Dolmathakia me Kima recipe

Finally, a perfect pair for VitaClay’s TZATZIKI! Try Greece’s favorite dish, a bundle of meat and rice wrapped in grape leaves that’s filling and satisfyingly delicious. Traditionally served as a side dish, Dolmathakia me Kima comes from the Turkish word dolma, which means "stuffed" and aki meaning "little one" making dolmathakia a “little-stuffed” wrap. You can also use larger leaves, increasing the amount of filling to serve it as a main dish paired with AVGOLEMONO, a sauce made of eggs and lemon juice. Enjoy this easy crockpot recipe for dolmathakia me kima which you can make in our VitaClay slow cooker. 

     

Ingredients

• Grape Leaves:

• 8 cups water

• 1/2 lemon (juice only)

• 1 teaspoon sea salt

• 1 (16-ounce) grape leaves in brine (about 70 leaves)

Filling:

• 1 cup short-grain rice (uncooked)

• 2 medium-large onions (finely chopped)

• 5 tablespoons olive oil (divided)

• 2 pounds lean ground beef (or lamb, or a mixture of both)

• 1 bunch fresh dill (chopped)

• 1 tablespoon mint leaves (chopped)

• 2 1/2 lemons (juiced, divided)

• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

• 2 cups of water

Directions:

1. Leaves: Boil 8 cups of water, add the juice of 1/2 lemon and the salt. Place unrolled grape leaves in the hot water and leave for 3 minutes.

2. Remove the leaves from the hot water, place them in a bowl of cold water and drain in a colander when cooled. Set aside.

3. Filling: Soak the rice for 10 minutes in hot water and drain then, sauté it.

4. Sauté the onions in 1 tablespoon of olive oil until translucent.

5. Mix onion, ground beef, rice, remaining olive oil, dill, mint, juice of 1 lemon, and pepper in a bowl.

6. Fill each grape leaves a pinch (up to a teaspoon), making sure all sides are enclosed (firm not tight, giving room for the filling to expand during cooking).

7. In your VitaClay, add 2 cups of water, place a bowl or bamboo steamer basket inside.

8. Place filled grape leaves in your cooker and set it on Stew or fast to cook for one hour.


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