Ingredients
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1 small fennel bulb, halved, cored and diced
- 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
- 1/2 cup pine nuts
- 1 cup long-grain rice
- 1 1/2 cups chicken stock
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped dill leaves
- 1/4 cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 (8-ounce) jar grape leaves, rinsed and drained
- 2 lemons, juiced
Directions
To make the filling, coat a large saute pan with 1/4 cup of the oil and place over medium heat. Add the onion, fennel and lemon zest and stir until soft, about 10 minutes. Add the pine nuts and rice, saute for 2 minutes, stirring to coat. Pour in just 1/2 cup of the chicken stock and lower the heat. Simmer until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is al dente, about 10 minutes. Scrape the parboiled rice mixture into a bowl and add the dill and parsley; season with salt and pepper. Allow to cool. Now on to the grape leaves.
Bring a big pot of water to a simmer. Blanch the grape leaves in the hot water for 5 minutes until pliable. Drain then trim the stems and any hard veins from the leaves. Pat dry with paper towels.
To assemble the dolmades, lay a grape leaf on a work surface, shiny-side down. Put 2 tablespoons of the rice filling near the stem end of the leaf. Fold the stem end over the filling, then fold both sides toward the middle, and roll up into a cigar it should be snug but not overly tight because the rice will swell once it is fully cooked. Squeeze lightly in the palm of your hand to secure the roll. Repeat with remaining grape leaves and filling.
Place the dolmades in a large Dutch oven or wide deep skillet, seam-side down in a single layer. Pour the remaining cup of broth, remaining olive oil, and the lemon juice over the dolmades, the liquid should reach halfway up the rolls, add some water if necessary. Cover the pan and simmer over low heat for 30 to 40 minutes, until the dolmades are tender when pierced with a fork. Serve warm, at room temperature or cool.



















Review This Recipe
You must be signed in to review this recipe.
or Register to Review
Newest Ratings and Reviews
Read all 12 reviews
By chellekatz09
on June 13, 2011
Flag
Flag This Review?
Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.
or Cancel
These were delicious! I could not find fennel in my grocery store so it really only made about 15 which was just fine for my husband and I! I also used fresh mint rather than dill. I served them with pain greek yogurt and they were gone within 10 minutes!
By Mahal527
on February 20, 2011
Flag
Flag This Review?
Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.
or Cancel
This was delicious! I've had dolmades at very many different greek places, but this by far has been the most tasty!
A few things I changed:
I doubled the recipe and used 2 cans of vegetable broth instead of chicken broth (was making it vegetarian friendly. Also used Morningstar crumbles instead of pine nuts as "fake meat"--I'm not a huge fan of pine nuts. Ended up baking in the oven on a cookie sheet/jelly roll pan.. I lined the pan with a layer of grape leaves, fit about 68 dolmades on it. I boiled the liquid mixture before pouring it over, then covered it with another layer of grape leaves, foil, put another cookie sheet on top to keep everything down, and baked for 40-50 minutes, it soaked up all the liquid.. it was a huge hit! Will definitely be making this again!! :
By abcsallie
on November 07, 2010
Flag
Flag This Review?
Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.
or Cancel
My grandmother used to make these all the times. This is hands down the best recipe for dolmades that I have ever tried. My husband really loves them and so do my children. I love the fact that fennel is used. Just delicious.
Read all 12 reviews