Yarpaq Dolması (Azerbaijani Stuffed Grape Leaves)
Local name: Yarpaq dolması
In short: Grape leaves rolled around minced lamb, rice and a big handful of dill, cilantro and mint, simmered in butter and lemon and served with garlic yogurt. It takes about 2 h 15 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 1 h 15 min
- Cook
- 1 h
- Total
- 2 h 15 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 360 kcal
Yarpaq dolması are small rolls of grape leaf stuffed with lamb, rice and a big handful of dill, cilantro and mint. Azerbaijani cooks make them in spring, when the leaves are young, and again at celebrations. They are rolled thin and tight, packed in a pot and simmered with butter and a little lemon, then served with garlicky yogurt. Plan an afternoon of rolling with company.
Instructions
- If the leaves are brined, rinse them and soak in hot water for 10 minutes. If fresh, blanch them for 1 minute in boiling water. Drain and trim the stems.
- Mix the lamb, rice, onions, herbs, salt, pepper and turmeric. Knead for 2 minutes until the filling is moist and holds together.
- Lay a leaf vein side up with the stem toward you. Put 1 tbsp of filling near the stem, fold in the sides and roll up snugly into a thin cigar. Leave room for the rice to swell.
- Line the bottom of a wide pot with a few torn leaves. Pack the rolls in tight layers, seam side down.
- Pour over the melted butter, hot water and lemon juice, then set an upside-down plate on the rolls to hold them in place.
- Bring to a boil, cover and simmer on low heat for 50 to 60 minutes, until the rice is tender and the filling reaches 71°C (160°F). Add hot water if the pot dries.
- Rest for 10 minutes, then serve warm with the garlic yogurt.
Tips
- No grape leaves? Blanch Swiss chard or savoy cabbage leaves until bendy and roll them the same way, cutting out the thick ribs.
- The same filling works in hollowed tomatoes, peppers and small eggplants. Pack them upright in a pot and simmer or bake until soft.
Questions and answers
Can I freeze yarpaq dolması?
Yes. Freeze cooked rolls with a little liquid for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat gently, covered, in a pan with a splash of water.
What do you serve with yarpaq dolması?
Garlic yogurt, fresh bread, a plate of raw herbs and a tomato and cucumber salad. In Azerbaijan the rolls are often part of a larger spread.
Can I make the dolma with beef instead of lamb?
Yes. Use ground beef with about 15 percent fat, or a mix of beef and lamb. The cooking time stays the same.
How long does it take to make Yarpaq Dolması (Azerbaijani Stuffed Grape Leaves)?
About 2 h 15 min in total: 1 h 15 min of preparation and 1 h of cooking.
How many calories are in Yarpaq Dolması (Azerbaijani Stuffed Grape Leaves)?
About 360 kcal per serving, with 16 g of protein, 22 g of carbohydrates and 23 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 360 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 16 g |
| Carbohydrates | 22 g |
| Fat | 23 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 900 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
