Hand-rolled grape leaves filled with fragrant rice, herbs, and citrus, finished with rich olive oil for a timeless Lebanese mezze.
Prepare the grape leaves
Rinse grape leaves gently to remove excess brine. Set aside.
Make the filling
In a large bowl, mix rice, tomatoes, onion, parsley, mint, lemon juice, olive oil, spices, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
Stuff the leaves
Place a grape leaf shiny side down. Add 1 teaspoon of filling near the stem, fold sides inward, and roll tightly.
Layer the pot
Line the bottom of a pot with potato slices and garlic. Arrange rolled grape leaves snugly in layers.
Cook
Add enough water to just cover the grape leaves. Place a plate on top to keep them tight.
Simmer on low heat for 50–60 minutes.
Rest & serve
Let rest 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm or cold with extra lemon.