Slow-Cooked Stuffed Vine Leaves with Tahini Drizzle

Ingredients

- 30 vine leaves, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup uncooked rice
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 2 cups water
- 1/2 cup tahini
- Salt to taste

Instructions

1. Prepare the Filling:

- In a medium bowl, combine the uncooked rice, chopped onion, dill, mint, black pepper, and a pinch of salt.
- Mix the ingredients thoroughly until well combined, ensuring the herbs and spices are evenly distributed.

2. Assemble the Vine Leaves:

- Remove the stems from the vine leaves if necessary.
- Place one vine leaf, vein side up, on a clean surface.
- Add approximately 1 tablespoon of the rice mixture to the center of the leaf.
- Fold the sides of the leaf over the filling and roll snugly from the bottom to the top, creating a small, tight cylinder.
- Repeat this process for all vine leaves until the filling is used up.

3. Prepare the Crock Pot:

- Place a few vine leaves at the bottom of the Crock Pot to prevent sticking and add flavor.
- Layer the stuffed vine leaves into the Crock Pot, arranging them in circular stacks.
- Pour in 2 cups of water and red wine vinegar over the stuffed leaves, then cover the leaves with a plate to keep them submerged during cooking.

4. Cook the Stuffed Vine Leaves:

- Set the Crock Pot to the low setting and cook for about 5 hours, or until the rice is tender and fully cooked.

5. Prepare the Tahini Drizzle:

- In a small bowl, whisk the tahini with a few tablespoons of water until it reaches a smooth, pourable consistency. Add more water gradually if needed.

6. Serve:

- Gently remove the vine leaves from the Crock Pot, using tongs or a slotted spoon.
- Drizzle the tahini sauce over the vine leaves before serving.
- Enjoy warm or at room temperature as a delightful snack.

Total Time

PT5H10M
5 hours and 10 minutes

Type of Dish

Snack

Keywords

Stuffed Vine Leaves, Slow-Cooked, Crock Pot, Tahini Drizzle, Vine Leave Snack, Vegan Snack, Rice Filling, Herb-Infused, Healthy Snack, Mediterranean

Recipe Yield

Feeds 4 adults

Calories

Approximately 1,200 calories total

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