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Lebanese Warak Enab

Warak Enab Recipe (Lebanese Stuffed Grape Leaves)

Traditional Lebanese stuffed grape leaves filled with rice, chickpeas, tomatoes, fresh mint, and parsley, then simmered in lemon sauce. 
Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Servings: 6 people (90 small rolls)
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Calories: 392

Ingredients
  

  • 90 grape leaves fresh or jarred/canned
  • 1/2 cup dried rice short or medium grain
  • 1/2 cup dried chickpeas halves (or whole chickpeas cracked in half)
  • 2 tomatoes finely chopped
  • 1 bunch Italian parsley finely chopped (about 1 cup, stems discarded)
  • 1 bunch fresh mint finely chopped (about 3/4 cup, stems discarded)
  • 1 bunch green onions finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 onion sliced into thin disks
  • 1 tomato sliced into thin disks
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup fresh lemon juice about 4-5 lemons
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 2 cups water
For Serving
  • Plain yogurt
  • Warm pita bread

Method
 

  1. Finely chop parsley, mint, tomatoes, and green onions.
  2. Mix the herbs and vegetables with rice, chickpeas, salt, olive oil, and lemon juice to make the stuffing.
  3. Prepare grape leaves by rinsing jarred leaves or blanching fresh ones until soft, then remove stems.
  4. Line the bottom of a pot with sliced onions and tomatoes to prevent sticking.
  5. Place stuffing in each grape leaf, roll tightly, and fold in the sides like a wrap.
  6. Arrange the rolls seam-side down in tight layers inside the pot.
  7. Add salt, lemon juice, olive oil, and water until the rolls are just covered.
  8. Place a plate on top to keep them from unrolling, then simmer on low heat for 35–40 minutes, shaking the pot occasionally.
  9. Check that the rice and chickpeas are tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
  10. Let rest for 30–60 minutes for better flavor.
  11. Flip onto a serving platter and serve warm or room temperature with pita bread and yogurt.

Notes

Nutrition (per serving – about 15 rolls):
  • Calories: 392
  • Fat: 29g
  • Carbohydrates: 32g
  • Fiber: 8g
  • Protein: 6g
  • Vitamin A: 13772 IU
  • Vitamin C: 44mg
  • Calcium: 206mg
  • Iron: 3mg