Traditional Armenian Dolma with Yogurt-Mint Sauce
Armenian Dolma, or Tolma, is a cherished dish in Armenian cuisine that embodies tradition and flavor. These grape leaf rolls are filled with a delicious mixture of ground beef, rice, and aromatic herbs, all delightfully seasoned and served with a refreshing yogurt-mint sauce. Perfect for family gatherings, this dish is a testament to the heartwarming art of Armenian cooking.
Ingredients
Dolma Filling
🥩 500 g Ground Beef, use your preferred brand
🍚 150 g Rice, Uncle Ben's Long Grain Rice is a good choice
🧅 3 medium Onions, finely chopped
🧄 3 cloves Garlic, chopped
🌿 1 big bunch Fresh Parsley, chopped
🍅 150 ml Tomato Sauce, Hunt's brand
🧂 15 g Salt
⚫ 3 g Black Pepper
Grape Leaves
🍃 300 g Grape Leaves in Brine, Krinos brand
💧 2 cups Water
Yogurt-Mint Sauce
🥛 1 cup Plain Yogurt, Olympic Krema Greek Yogurt Plain 0% Fat
🌿 15 g Fresh Mint, chopped
🧄 1 clove Garlic, chopped
🧂 Salt
⚫ Black Pepper
Instructions
1- Cook the Rice:
- Cook 150g of rice until partially tender.
- Set aside.
2- Prepare Ingredients:
- Chop the onions, garlic, and parsley finely.
- If using coriander, chop as well.
3- Create the Filling:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, garlic, chosen amount of onions, and chopped herbs.
- Mix thoroughly by hand.
4- Add Seasoning and Tomato Sauce:
- Mix in the tomato sauce, salt, and pepper.
5- Incorporate Rice:
- Add the partially cooked rice to the mixture.
- Ensure it's well combined.
6- Prepare Grape Leaves:
- Rinse the grape leaves thoroughly to remove excess brine.
7- Roll the Dolma:
- Place a grape leaf with the rough side up.
- Add a teaspoon of filling, fold the bottom over, fold in sides, and roll tightly.
8- Set Up for Cooking:
- Line a Dutch oven with some grape leaves.
- Place rolled dolma in a circular pattern, seam side down.
9- Add Liquid:
- Place a white plate upside down over the dolma.
- Pour 2 cups of water and an optional splash of extra tomato sauce into the pot.
10- Cook the Dolma:
- Using a Wolf range stove, cook on medium heat for about 50 minutes.
11- Prepare the Yogurt-Mint Sauce:
- Mix the yogurt, garlic, and mint in a glass bowl.
- Season with salt and pepper.
12- Serve:
- Arrange the dolma on a serving plate.
- Serve with yogurt-mint sauce on the side.
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 80 minutes
Servings: 6-8 servings
Equipment:
- Small saucepan for rice
- Gas stove, Wolf range
- Wooden cutting board
- Chef's knife
- Mixing bowl
- Can opener
- Measuring cup
- Pepper grinder
- Jar opener
- Teaspoon
- Enameled cast iron Dutch oven, Le Creuset style
- Crate & Barrel white plate
- Small glass bowl
- Serving plate
- Spoon
Cooking Tips
- Ensuring the dolma are tightly packed prevents unraveling.
- Use a plate as a weight to maintain shape during cooking.
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