*Veggie Dolma--Yes Please!*

One of my best friends is Chaldean and one of the things we have in common is the fact that we are both vegetarian--I know, awesome right!?  When she and her mother-in-law make dolma, more commonly known as grape leaves, they make a huge portion which is the recipe that I am sharing this evening-trust me, it is delicious (Should make about 70 Grape Leaves, 4 Stuffed Onions, and 4 Stuffed Peppers).  This amount can vary depending on if you choose to do more stuffed onions or peppers.

Picture sent to me from my best friend, Evan

Ingredients for the Stuffing (mix these together in a large bowl)

• 2 cups of rice (boil then drain)
• 3 stalks of celery chopped
• 10 baby carrots, chopped
• 1 bunch of parsley, chopped
• 1 large white onion, chopped
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1/3 cup of olive oil
• 1/4 tablespoon dry mint
• 2 tablespoons salt
• Juice of two large lemons (can also use lemon juice)

Ingredients for the Sauce (mix these all together in a separate bowl)

•  1 can tomato paste (6 oz)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses
• Juice of two large lemons (can also use lemon juice)
• Add water if needed to thin the sauce

Now that all your ingredients are mixed together, it is time to put your grape leaves, onion peels, and peppers in a pot.  Pour boiling water over them, letting them soak for 3-5 minutes.  **Make sure the stems are all picked off the leaves and thrown out, the ends of the onion peels are cut off and peels separated, and the pepper tops are cut off along with the inside seeds.

Once that is done take them out of the pot and place on a flat surface.  Take your ingredients and start stuff the the onions and peppers, leaving a little space before the openings or ends of peppers and onions.  As for the grape leaves, you want to  place a small portion in the middle of each leaf and fold in the ends and start rolling them tight.

After your peppers and onions are stuffed and leaves stuffed and rolled, it is time for the last step before it is time to eat it all up!  In a large pot, place the onions and peppers along the bottom.  Then start placing the grape leaves snug on top of them.  Once they are all in your pot, pour the sauce that you mixed over the top.  Bring to a boil and let boil for about 10 minutes, then reduce heat and simmer for about 40 minutes, or until the sauce is absorbed (you will know they are ready when you can easily stick a fork in and easily pull out of the leaf).

Finally take them out, let them cool down for about 10 minutes, then TIME TO EAT UP!

I promise, if you are vegetarian or even if you are not, this is an awesome meal to try; it has become one of my top 5 favorite dishes!!!