Azerbaijani Dolma

Directions

1. 1

   Step 1

   

   Rinse the rice several times until the water runs clear. Peel the onion and garlic. Wash and dry the herbs. Soak the grape leaves in boiling water for two minutes, then rinse. Prepare a baking dish. Preheat the oven to 170 degrees 15 minutes before use.

2. 2

   Step 2

   

   Place the rinsed rice in a pot and cover with water in a 1:2 ratio. Cook the grain over low heat for 20 minutes until done. Drain in a colander and let all the water drain completely.

3. 3

   Step 3

   

   Finely chop the onion and sauté it in a pan with vegetable oil until golden brown. Add the mince to the onion, mix, and cook the ingredients for 10 minutes.

4. 4

   Step 4

   

   Finely chop the herbs and add them to the pan along with the rice. Salt and pepper to taste. Add the tomato paste, mix, and cook for another 5 minutes over low heat.

5. 5

   Step 5

   

   Trim the stems from the grape leaves, then place some leaves on the bottom of the baking dish. Place a spoonful of filling in the remaining leaves.

6. 6

   Step 6

   

   Carefully roll the filling in the leaves into a fairly tight roll. Then transfer each prepared roll to the baking dish.

7. 7

   Step 7

   

   Mix the water with lemon juice, add a little salt, and stir. Pour the water with lemon juice into the baking dish. Place the dolma in the preheated oven and bake for 1.5 hours.

8. 8

   Step 8

   

   Serve the Azerbaijani dolma with a spoonful of sour cream or sour cream sauce.