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Stuffed Grape Leaves — traditional dish from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Starter Vegetarian

Food Flavour DNA

Nutritional Values

🔥320kcal
💪6gProtein
🌾54gCarbs
🥑12gFat
🌿5gFibre
⚖️250 gServing

* Per serving · 250 g. May vary.

Stuffed Grape Leaves

How to order / say it
Say it ورق العنب — [wa-raq al-‘inab]
Order I'd like the stuffed grape leaves, please.
Locally أريد ورق العنب، من فضلك.
Say locally

Grape leaves stuffed with a savory mixture of spiced rice and sometimes lamb.

Why try it?

This dish reflects cultural hospitality and can often be found at gatherings and family meals, representing abundance and generosity.

How it tastes

Stuffed grape leaves offer a soft texture with a slightly tart and herbal taste, filled with seasoned rice.

Origin & History — first documented: 1650

With roots in the Ottoman Empire during the 17th century, this dish spread across the Middle East, symbolizing regional culinary heritage.

Recipe

Ingredients

  • 🥕 200 g grape leaves
  • 🌾 150 g white rice
  • 🧄 50 g onions
  • 🍋 50 ml lemon juice
  • 🌿 20 g parsley
  • 🫒 30 ml olive oil
  • 🧂 to taste black pepper
  • 🧂 to taste salt
  • 🥜 30 g pine nuts

Method

  1. 1 Sauté onions in olive oil, then mix with rice, parsley, and seasonings.
  2. 2 Stuff each grape leaf with the rice mixture and roll tightly.
  3. 3 Arrange in a pan, sprinkle with lemon juice, cover with water, and simmer.
  4. 4 Cook until rice is tender, about 1 hour. Serve warm or at room temperature.
All Asia recipes — United Arab Emirates — Abu Dhabi — Stuffed Grape Leaves
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