Dolmades Yialantzi (Rice-Stuffed Vine Leaves)
Local name: Ντολμαδάκια Γιαλαντζί
In short: Tender vine leaves rolled around rice, herbs and lemon, simmered in olive oil and served cold, a classic Lenten meze. It takes about 2 h in total and makes 8 servings.
- Prep
- 1 h
- Cook
- 1 h
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 2 h
- Servings
- 8
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 240 kcal
Yialantzi dolmades are vine leaves rolled around rice, onions and plenty of fresh herbs, with no meat. The word yialantzi means fake, since the usual meat filling is missing, and these rolls became a staple of Lenten fasting. They are cooked in olive oil and lemon, then served cold or at room temperature as a meze. Brined leaves from a jar make the work much easier.
Instructions
- Rinse the vine leaves and blanch them in hot water for 3 minutes to remove the brine. Drain, trim any thick stems and set aside a few torn leaves for lining the pot.
- Cook the onions and scallions in 60 ml of the oil for 8 minutes until soft. Stir in the rice for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and mix in the herbs, half the lemon juice, salt and pepper. Cool.
- Lay a leaf shiny side down with the stem toward you. Put a heaped teaspoon of filling at the base, fold the stem end over, fold in the sides and roll up snugly but not too tight, since the rice will swell.
- Line the base of a wide heavy pot with the torn leaves. Pack the rolls closely in layers, seam side down. Drizzle with the remaining oil and lemon juice and lay the lemon slices on top.
- Set a heatproof plate upside down over the rolls to hold them in place. Pour in the hot water, cover the pot and simmer over low heat for 45 to 50 minutes, until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
- Cool the dolmades in the pot for 30 minutes. Serve at room temperature or chilled, with lemon wedges.
Tips
- With fresh leaves, blanch them for 1 to 2 minutes until soft and bright green. Use young, tender leaves, because older ones stay tough.
- Roll the dolmades loosely, since the rice expands. The plate on top stops them from unrolling while they simmer.
Questions and answers
Can I make dolmades ahead?
Yes. They are served cold or at room temperature and taste better after a day. Keep them in the fridge in a little olive oil for up to 5 days.
Are dolmades vegan?
This Lenten version is vegan: just rice, herbs, onions and olive oil. Versions with ground meat are served warm, often with a lemon and egg sauce.
Can I freeze dolmades?
Yes, for up to 3 months. Thaw them overnight in the fridge. The leaves soften slightly but the flavor holds.
How long does it take to make Dolmades Yialantzi (Rice-Stuffed Vine Leaves)?
About 2 h in total: 1 h of preparation and 1 h of cooking.
How many calories are in Dolmades Yialantzi (Rice-Stuffed Vine Leaves)?
About 240 kcal per serving, with 2 g of protein, 27 g of carbohydrates and 14 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 240 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 27 g |
| Fat | 14 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 600 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
