I think it’s time we spoke frankly with each other. We have to stop kidding ourselves and accept that when we try to convert our friends and family members to veganism, we can’t impress them with tofu. If you want to impress your family members about veganism and show them that vegan food can be just as “good” as meat dishes, I’ll give you one of the most popular Turkish recipes, vegan stuffed grape leaves recipe.

Vegan Stuffed Grape Leaves Recipe

Vegan stuffed grape leaves recipe (Sarma or dolma recipe) is a dish made of various fillings, mainly bulgur or rice, wrapped in vine leaves, white cabbage, black cabbage, mulberry leaves or cherry leaves. It originates from Ottoman cuisine and is made in the lands where the Ottoman Empire ruled. There are different types of wrapping with vine leaves, such as Nevsehir, Tokat, olive oil wrapping, which is typical of Aegean cuisine, or minced meat wrapping.

I have to show you this unbelievably delicious recipe. However, if you want to prepare this dish and you are a beginner, you may need the help of your lovely mama.

Let’s make vegan stuffed grape leaves:

Ingredients

• 350 gr grape leaves
• 200 gr rice
• 2 finely peeled and chopped tomatoes.
• 4 finely chopped small yellow onions
• Bunch of finely chopped parsley
• 150 ml olive oil (not cooking oil)
  
• 1 teaspoon chili flakes
• 1 teaspoon chili black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried mint
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon pine nuts
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste

 

Preparation

Before we start to make the mixture, we have to check, if the grape leaves are very salty. If so, place them in a big salad bowl, add boiling water and let them rest 10 minutes. You can use fresh grape leaves, too.

 

Now we can start to prepare the mixture. This is the easy part of the recipe.

1. Wash the rice and combine all ingredients in a big salad bowl.

 

2. Give it a good mix.

The mixture is ready. Now we can start to roll our grape leaves.

How to roll grape leaves?

1. Lay the leaves flat on a cutting board and add 1/2 spoon of the mixture in the center of the leaves.

2. Fold the sides over the filling and roll tightly.

 

 

 

 

How to cook vegan stuffed grape leaves?

1. Place the vegan stuffed grape leaves in a big cooking pan.

 

2. Add boiling water, arriving at the top layer and add 5-6 tablespoons olive oil.

 

3. Place a small plate on top, close the lid and cook for about 30-40 minutes over low-medium heat until the water has been absorbed.

4. After 30-40 minutes, check İf the vegan stuffed grape leaves are done. If the mixture and leaves are soft enough, turn the heat off, remove the plate and add the juice of a half lemon on them. Close the lid again and let them rest for 30-45 minutes.

Our unbelievably delicious vegan stuffed grape leaves are ready.

You can serve them hot or cold. Since these are stuffed grape leaves without meat, you can  serve them warm as the main course with yogurt garlic sauce.

Bon Appétit 😊

Where to find grape leaves?

You can find grape leaves in many grocery stores. You can buy them online,too.

Did you make vegan stuffed grape leaves?

Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below.