Jul 14 2026
RestaurantsCafe AthensDolmades Recipe

Dolmades Recipe

Inspired by Cafe Athens
Time1h 10m
Serves4

Grape leaves stuffed with rice and herbs.

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Ingredients

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Filling

Method

Preparation of Filling

  1. 1

    Rinse the Rice

    Rinse the long-grain rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Drain well.

  2. 2

    Sauté Onion

    In a medium-sized skillet, heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until translucent.

  3. 3

    Combine Ingredients

    In a large bowl, combine the rinsed rice, sautéed onion, parsley, dill, salt, black pepper, lemon juice, and 1.5 cups of water or vegetable broth. Mix thoroughly.

Preparing Dolmades

  1. 4

    Prepare Grape Leaves

    Open the jar of canned grape leaves and carefully rinse them under cold water to remove excess brine. Lay them flat on a clean surface.

  2. 5

    Stuff the Grape Leaves

    Take a grape leaf, stem side facing you, and place about 1-2 tablespoons of the rice filling near the base of the leaf. Fold the sides over the filling, then roll from the base up to the tip to form a tight cylinder. Repeat with remaining leaves and filling.

  3. 6

    Arrange in Pot

    Place the stuffed dolmades seam-side down in a large pot. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and add enough water or broth to cover the dolmades.

  4. 7

    Cook the Dolmades

    Bring the pot to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Cover and cook for about 30-40 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the grape leaves are soft.

Serving

  1. 8

    Serve Warm

    Once cooked, remove from heat and let cool slightly before serving. Serve warm drizzled with extra lemon juice if desired.

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