Preparing Grape Leaves for Great Greek Salads and Dolmas

Explores the unique preparation of wild rice and grape leaves in a delicious raw food recipe called the Great Greek Salad. Learn how to prepare and incorporate grape leaves for a perfect bite, and discover the versatile flavors of wild rice in this delightful dish.

Introduction to the Great Greek Salad

Cherie Soria, a master in raw food recipes, introduces the Great Greek Salad, inspired by Mediterranean Mediterranean culinary traditions. The dish is a quicker, simplified version of traditional dolmas, focusing on the flavors like wild rice and grape leaves without the rolling process. This article takes you through the preparation of this dish, providing valuable insights and tips for efficient and delicious cooking.

Understanding Wild Rice

Wild Rice: Cherie explains that wild rice is not actually rice but a seed that grows in water. Wild rice requires a special soaking process known as blooming to soften it properly. The blooming process involves soaking the rice in water for at least 24 hours, with changes in water every 24 hours. Once bloomed, the wild rice is stored in the refrigerator, ready for use.

How to Bloom Wild Rice

To prepare wild rice, you need to:

Soak the rice in water for 24 hours Change the water daily while the rice is still blooming Rinse the rice and store in the refrigerator until ready to use

Cherie shares that wild rice takes approximately 9 days to fully bloom and become soft. Preparing it in advance ensures it’s ready to go whenever you want to make the dish.

The Great Greek Salad Recipe

Recipe Overview: A delicious, raw food recipe that combines wild rice, tomatoes, zucchini, lemon juice, orange juice, pine nuts, and grape leaves. This dish, while simpler than rolled dolmas, retains the authentic Mediterranean flavors.

Ingredients:

1 cup wild rice 2 cups Roma tomatoes, diced 2 cups finely diced zucchini 1/2 cup olive oil (use organic if possible) 1/2 cup pine nuts Orange juice Lemon juice Quarter cup currants Grape leaves Fresh parsley, minced Scallions Dill Woody oregano Garlic Himalayan crystal salt (use as necessary) Black pepper, a teaspoon

Preparation Steps:

The recipe involves combining all the ingredients in the following steps:

Prepare the wild rice by blooming as described. Chop the onions, scallions, and prepare the herbs. Combine the all ingredients in a bowl, ensuring a balance of flavors and textures. Incorporate the grape leaves, noting they are typically raw and packed in a brine of salt. Rinse to remove excess salt. Mix everything gently to combine the flavors.

Preparing Grape Leaves

Grape Leaves, Key Ingredient: Cherie explains that grape leaves add a delightful flavor to dolmas, and they are typically used in their raw form. They are usually packed in a brine of salt and rinsed before use.

Chiffonnade Technique: Cherie demonstrates the chiffonnade technique, finely shredding the grape leaves into ribbons without cutting too long. Rinsing: It is essential to rinse the grape leaves thoroughly to remove all the salt. Rolling: Cherie provides a visual guide on rolling the grape leaves for a perfect appearance, though they are not essential for this recipe.

This recipe helps in maintaining the authentic taste of dolmas without the tedious rolling process, making it more accessible and quicker to prepare.

Conclusion

The Great Greek Salad is a fantastic alternative to traditional dolmas, offering a simple yet flavorful dish perfect for anyone who loves Mediterranean cuisine. This dish is not only delicious but also health-conscious, as it’s made with raw ingredients. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner, this recipe is a delightful and easy addition to your meal repertoire. Enjoy the perfect bite of a balanced salad that combines the subtle sweetness and tanginess of wild rice and the rich flavors of fresh herbs and citrus.