Dolmades | Beef recipe

by Emma Bower

Dolmades is a traditional dish from Cyprus, it can be made with meat but for vegetarians, vegetables can be used instead. Traditionally it is eaten with yogurt.

Ingredients for four people:

20 vacuuum-packed vine leaves

- Stuffing:

100g short grain rice

250g minced beef

1 small onion

2 tbsp herb mix for Dolmades

1 tbsp olive oil

Sea salt and pepper

- Cooking sauce

300ml of water

2 tbsp olive oil

2 tbsp lemon juice

6 tbsp tomato paste

Instructions

- Mix all the stuffing ingredients together, knead well and leave for 15 minutes.

- Wash and cut stalks from the vine leaves and place a small amount of filling (about a dessertspoon) towards the base of each leaf. Fold in the sides and roll up to secure the mixture.

- Line a saucepan with a few unfilled leaves and place the dolmades side by side, so they fit tightly in the saucepan.

- Mix the cooking sauce ingredients together and pour the liquid over the dolmades to cover them.

- Place a heat resistant plate on top, cover the saucepan and simmer for 1-1½ hours until the liquid is absorbed and the meat and rice are cooked.

The leaves should be tender. Serve with fresh vegetables.