Grape Leaf Dolmas with Spiced Rice
These dolmas wrap tender grape leaves around a fragrant rice filling enriched with softened onions, tomato paste, sweet currants, pine nuts, and aromatic cinnamon, mint, dill, allspice, and cumin. Gently steamed, they make a satisfying appetizer or a flavorful accompaniment for a mezze spread or light meal.
- Prep30 mins
- Cook45 mins
- Serves8
- DifficultyMedium
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Grape Leaf Dolmas with Spiced Rice, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactFair
- 56 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 16 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityFair
- 62 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Unprocessed or minimally processed
- 1 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 75
- Heart Health
- 62
- Metabolic
- 37
- Digestive
- 37
- Inflammatory
- 28
- Performance
- 44
- General Wellness
- 1
Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onions and sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in rice, then add enough hot water to cover. Cover and simmer until rice is halfway cooked, about 10 minutes.
- 2
Remove from the heat and stir in tomato paste, currants, pine nuts, cinnamon, mint, dill, allspice, and cumin. Let the mixture cool, about 15 minutes.
- 3
Prepare a large pot by placing an inverted plate on the bottom to protect the dolmas from direct heat during steaming.
- 4
Cut off and discard any grape leaf stems. Place about 1 teaspoon of the cooled rice mixture in the center of a leaf. Fold in the sides, then roll into a cigar shape. Place it in the prepared pot. Repeat to make the remaining dolmas.
- 5
Pour in just enough warm water to reach the bottom of the first layer of dolmas. Cover and simmer over low heat for 30 to 45 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked. Check the water level often and add more as necessary.
- 6
Let the mixture cool, about 15 minutes.
- 7
Prepare a large pot by placing an inverted plate on the bottom to shield the dolmas from direct heat during steaming.
- 8
Cut off and discard any grape leaf stems.
- 9
Place about 1 teaspoon of the cooled rice mixture in the center of a leaf.
- 10
Fold in the sides, then roll into a cigar shape.
- 11
Place into the prepared pot and repeat to make the remaining dolmas.
- 12
Pour in just enough warm water to reach the bottom of the first layer of dolmas.
- 13
Cover and simmer over low heat for 30 to 45 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked.
- 14
Check the water level often and add more as needed.
- Calories 224.52 kcal Moderate 11%
- Protein 5.48 g Moderate 11%
- Carbohydrate 42.42 g 15%
- Total Fat 4.5 g Moderate 6%
- Saturated Fat 0.68 g Low Source 3%
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Cholesterol 0.41 mg Low Source 0%
- Sodium 13.53 mg Low Source 1%
- Dietary Fiber 4.56 g Moderate 16%
- Total Sugars 5.17 g --
- Added Sugars 1.24 g Low Source 2%
- Calcium 134.6 mg Moderate 10%
- Iron 2.46 mg Moderate 14%
- Potassium 207.59 mg Low Source 4%
- Vitamin A 203.58 mcg Good Source 23%
- Vitamin C 3.98 mg Low Source 4%
- Vitamin D 0.0 mcg Low Source 0%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Tree Nuts 🌰
- Tomatoes 🍅
- Onions 🧅
About This Recipe
Grape Leaf Dolmas with Spiced Rice is made with 13 ingredients and serves 8. It takes about 1 hr 15 mins and is rated medium. Key ingredients include Dried Currant, Dried Dill, Dried Mint, and Grape Leaves. Each serving provides about 224.52 kcal.
Recipe Questions
- What is Grape Leaf Dolmas with Spiced Rice made of?
- The main ingredients are Dried Currant, Dried Dill, Dried Mint, Grape Leaves, Ground Allspice. The full list of 13 is above.
- How long does it take to make Grape Leaf Dolmas with Spiced Rice?
- About 1 hr 15 mins in total: 30 mins to prepare and 45 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 224.52 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Grape Leaf Dolmas with Spiced Rice easy to make?
- This recipe is rated medium, with 13 ingredients and 14 steps.
- Is Grape Leaf Dolmas with Spiced Rice healthy?
- Grape Leaf Dolmas with Spiced Rice has an easyChef Pro health score of 45/100. Per serving, it provides 224.52 calories and 5.48 g of protein, or 11% of the Daily Value. It is a good source of vitamin A. It contains Tree Nuts, Tomatoes and Onions, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
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