Middle Eastern Lamb Casserole Baked Under Vine Leaves Food

MIDDLE EASTERN LAMB CASSEROLE BAKED UNDER VINE-LEAVES

Steps:

• Combine spices, lemon juice, oil and salt to form a smooth paste.
• Place lamb in a ceramic or glass dish, add paste and combine well.
• Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
• Transfer lamb to a heavy-based casserole, add orange juice and stock.
• Combine well, cover with a tight fitting lid, then cook stirring occasionally, at 180c for 1 hour.
• Stir through apricots and prunes, return to the oven and cook for another 30 minutes or until lamb is tender.
• Place vine leaves over lamb in overlapping layers, then replace lid and cook for another 30 minutes.
• I would serve this over cous cous with a Moroccan-style salad on the side.

LEFTOVER LAMB CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Sauté 2 medium onions, cut in thin slices, in 3 tablespoons butter until delicately browned. Combine with 1 1/2 cups diced cold lamb, 1 cup leftover lamb gravy or canned beef gravy, 1 clove garlic, finely chopped, 2 cups cooked rice and 1/4 cup chopped parsley. Correct the seasoning and bake, covered, at 350°F for 45 minutes.
• Delicious served with butter French peas and sliced ripe tomatoes with dill dressing. For dessert, oven-baked apples with raisins and honey with sour cream.

DOLMA DALYA - ALGERIAN TOMATO & PEPPER STUFFED VINE LEAVES

Steps:

• Vine Leaves:.
• To prepare fresh vine leaves, trim the stalks & wash the leaves under running water. Blanch in lightly salted water for 15 minutes. Rinse then drain & set aside.
• To prepare bottled vine leaves, take the leaves out of the bottle & soak in plenty of cold water for at least 20 minutes. Rinse the leaves individually under running water the set aside.
• To prepare vacuum packed vine leaves, remove the leaves from the packet & soak in plenty of cold water for at least 15 minutes. Rinse the leaves individually under running water the set aside.
• Finely dice the pepper, tomato & onion. Fry gently in a little olive oil along with the minced garlic for approx 4 minutes. Add the spices & seasoning & cook for a further 30 seconds.
• Remove from the heat & add the rice, olive oil & water. Set aside.
• Broth:.
• Finely dice the onion & tomato & fry gently in a little olive oil. Add the cinnamon & seasoning, water, stock cube & lemon / lime juice. Cook for 15 minutes.
• After 15 minutes, remove from heat. At this point, you can do one of three things: liquidize the sauce, strain it to leave just a broth or keep it as it is.
• Stuff & fold your vine leaves:.
• Remove one leaf from the bowl of water & place in the centre of a dinner plate.
• Place one teaspoon full of filling into the bottom centre of the leaf - as in the photo.
• Take the left corner of the leaf & fold up to cover the filling.
• Do the same with the right hand side.
• Bring in both sides then gently roll up the leaf.
• Repeat these steps another 49 times - When folding the leaves, be firm but do not wrap them too tightly as they may split as the rice expands. Also don't be tempted to overfill the leaves either.
• NB: Most prepacked vine leaves come with their stalks attached. If they are tender you can leave them on - tuck them in the leaf or alternatively leave sticking out for a pretty effect. If the stalks are tough then remove them with a pair of scissors.
• Place carefully one at a time in a large pot. You can put up to 3 layers in a pot if necessary.
• Place a large plate or dish over the top of the vine leaves & gently pour the sauce broth over the top. Cover & cook on medium heat for at least 25 minutes; until the vine leaves are tender.
• My family enjoys these hot or room temperature drizzled with lemon / lime juice & good quality olive oil. They are really good served as an appetizer with a selection of dips such as garlic mayo etc.