Warak Enab bi Zeit (Lebanese Vegetarian Stuffed Grape Leaves)
Local name: ورق عنب بالزيت
In short: Tender grape leaves rolled around rice, tomato, parsley and mint, simmered in olive oil and lemon and served cold with a squeeze of lemon. It takes about 2 h 25 min in total and makes 8 servings.
- Prep
- 1 h 15 min
- Cook
- 1 h 10 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 2 h 25 min
- Servings
- 8
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 285 kcal
Warak enab bi zeit are the slim, meatless stuffed grape leaves that Lebanese families roll by the hundred for gatherings, fasting days and mezze spreads. The filling is rice, tomato, onion, parsley and mint, seasoned with allspice and olive oil, and the rolls cook in lemon juice until tender and tangy. They are eaten cold or at room temperature, so they can be made a day ahead. Each one is no longer than a finger.
Instructions
- Soak the grape leaves in hot water for 10 minutes, then rinse well, drain and trim off any hard stems.
- In a large bowl, mix the rice, diced tomatoes, onions, parsley, mint, 80 ml olive oil, 60 ml lemon juice, salt, allspice and pepper. Let the filling sit for 15 minutes.
- Line the base of a wide heavy pot with a few torn leaves, then cover with the potato and tomato slices to stop the rolls from scorching.
- Place a leaf shiny side down with the stem end toward you. Put a heaped teaspoon of filling in a line near the stem, fold in the sides and roll up snugly into a thin cigar about 5 cm (2 in) long, leaving a little room for the rice to swell.
- Pack the rolls seam side down in tight circles, layer on layer, tucking the garlic between them. Pour over the remaining lemon juice, olive oil and enough hot water to just cover, and set a heatproof plate on top.
- Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer on low heat for 50 to 60 minutes, until the rice is tender and the leaves are soft. Taste a roll to check.
- Cool in the pot for 30 minutes. Serve at room temperature or cold, with lemon wedges.
Tips
- Brined leaves are salty, so rinse them well and cut back on salt in the filling to taste. Fresh leaves are milder: blanch them for 1 minute and freeze any extras.
- Roll snugly but not tightly, because the rice expands. Leave the rolls in their cooking juices overnight, since the flavor improves and they are easier to lift out.
Questions and answers
Are warak enab served hot or cold?
The olive oil version is served cold or at room temperature. The meat version, warak enab b lahme, is usually served hot with yogurt.
How do I stop the rolls from unrolling?
Pack them seam side down and snug against each other, and weigh them down with a plate while they cook. Do not stir or move them as they simmer.
How long do stuffed grape leaves keep?
Up to 5 days, covered, in the fridge in some of their cooking juices. They also freeze for up to 3 months.
How long does it take to make Warak Enab bi Zeit (Lebanese Vegetarian Stuffed Grape Leaves)?
About 2 h 25 min in total: 1 h 15 min of preparation and 1 h 10 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Warak Enab bi Zeit (Lebanese Vegetarian Stuffed Grape Leaves)?
About 285 kcal per serving, with 4 g of protein, 31 g of carbohydrates and 16 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 285 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 4 g |
| Carbohydrates | 31 g |
| Fat | 16 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 5 g |
| Sodium | 750 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
