Grape leaves stuffed with rice and ground beef (Hojitas de parra rellenas con arroz y carne)

We always make these grape leaves, hubby and kids loved, My Mom in law came from a Leabanon's family and my Dad in law from Palestine.

These grape leavces, stuffed with a mixture of rice and neat are delicious.

These can either be a main dish or and appetizer.

Source : From my own notebook of recipes

Ingredients

50 or 60 leaves drained and rinsed
or 1 1/2 jar grape leaves

2 cups uncooked white rice

70 grams butter

salt and pepper

1 teaspoon of curry powder

500 grams ground beef

oil and lemon juice for sprinkle

Method

For cook grapes leaves:

Drain the grape leaves and carefully pull them apart. Put them in a saucepan and cook in hot water by some seconds ( about 30 seconds). Drain and let them until you are ready to roll.

Rice mixture

Wash the rice with warm water, then cold water and leave dry.
Add the ground beef, mix with rice and season all with salt, pepper and curry, add the butter cut into small pieces.
Mix all with your hands.

Cover the bottom of a pot with some ready-made grape leaves.

Take one leaf, shiny side down, and place 1 teaspoon of the rice mixture ate the bottom end of the leaf.
Fold both sides of the leaf towards the centar, roll up from the broad bottom to the top and place in the pot.
Press soft by hand and go putting them in orderly form in the pot.

Sprinkle with some lemon juice and a little oil.

Add a little salt and place over a plate of tea turned to help tighten the leaves.
Cover with hot water in moderate amounts only to cover the leaves .
When begin to boil reduce heat and cook about 45 minutes.
Remove from heat and let cool for a while. Transfer to a serving dish and serve.

Note for veggies

For my daugther (veggie) I make the same recipe only without meat)