 Stuffed Grape Leaves are not the quickest to prepare, but they are definitely one of the most delicious traditional Lebanese dishes! Grape leaves can be found in most Middle Eastern stores or even your grapevine in your backyard. Eva's mother used to visit fields and pick bags of grape leaves to freeze. Your grape leaves will taste just as good no matter how you choose to get them! Traditionally grape leaves were stuffed with lamb, but in this recipe we will be using ground beef. Ingredients:
 Instructions: 1. If using jarred grape leaves, place in colander in sink and rinse under cold water to remove pickling juice. If using fresh picked grape leaves, wash in warm water in colander (warm water makes them easier to work with) 2. In a separate bowl, add meat, 3 tablespoons of melted butter, 2 cups of rice, half teaspoon of pepper, 1 teaspoon of salt (add more or less based on your preference) and mix with your hands 3. After mixing, clip stems off grape leaves (put 5-6 leaves aside to line your pot) 4. To roll grapes leaves: lay out flat and place about a teaspoon of mixture in center of grape leave and even it out to make a long line 5. Fold top part (side where you cut off stem) over meat mixture, then bring the right side over to center, the left side over to the center, and keep leaf flat and roll. Tuck leaf in as you roll to keep the shape. The leaf is wet so it will stay in place. (don’t roll too tightly, give your rice room to cook) *Mixture goes on the inside of leaf or the rough side, the shiny part of the leaf should be on the outside. (if a leaf looks strange, save and use it to line your pot later on)   6. Line bottom of pot with grape leaves and be sure to cover the whole bottom (*see pictures below). If using steak, add it to the bottom of the pot over the leaves (no specific amount needed, you can do one small piece in center or different pieces). This is used for added flavor. 7. Put grape leaves in circular pattern, starting with the outer part of the pot and make rows until you reach the center (or if you have a pot that is smaller like ours, you will only have one roll around and the rest in the center) *don’t pack the grape leaves too tight, be sure to give them room to cook 8. Sprinkle 2-3 dashes of salt on top of grape leaves in your pot, cut up 1 teaspoon of butter into slices and add 9. Use an oven proof plate and add to center of pot to hold in place (face down) 10. Add 4 and a half cups of water to pot (or enough to cover top row) 11. On medium high heat, bring to boil. This takes around 10 minutes 12. Simmer on low and cover for 25 minutes, remove plate and partially cover until water has completely evaporated (to test if water has evaporated, tilt pot to side and see how much water goes to the side. 13. *Optional: Add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice over the top and turn stove off, partially cover and let rest for a few moments before serving. 
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 This dish is perfect for those who love beans! Fasolia is a dish made with kidney beans, tomato paste, and other yummy spices. It tastes great over rice (especially Eva's rice called riz bil sh'arieh, recipe here). Traditionally, fasolia is cooked with hard beans that are soaked overnight but with Eva's busy schedule, she found that using canned beans was much quicker and just as delicious! Ingredients:
 1. In a medium sized pot, on medium high heat, heat 2 and a half tablespoons of olive oil
2. Add diced onion and garlic to hot oil and sauté for around 3-5 minutes until wilted or golden (your choice) 3. Once onion is wilted or golden, add meat, 1/4 teaspoon of pepper, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon of allspice and toss. Cook meat for about 15-20 minutes, don’t mind the meat drippings, if meat is cooked, add drained and rinsed kidney beans and toss together 4. Once beans and meat start to boil together add 5 cups of water (if you would prefer it to be less soupy and more thick add 4 cups of water) 5. Stir and bring to boil 6. Once boiled, simmer and cover for 15 minutes, stir halfway through and crack open top for remaining time 7. After 15 minutes, uncover and add 3 tablespoons of tomato paste and mix in, partially cover for another 15-20 minutes 8. Start rice or Eva's riz bil sh'arieh Sahtein! |
