Stuffed Grape Leaves (Lozovi Sarmi)
Grape leaves rolled around a spiced filling of basmati rice and ground beef or lamb, pressure-cooked with lemon juice and water.
⏱️ Prep: 40 min🍳 Cook: 12 min
Ingredients
| 1 cup | 240 ml | uncooked basmati rice |
| 2 pound | 905 g | ground beef or lamb |
| 4 clove | garlic, peeled, minced | |
| 0.25 cup | 60 ml | fresh parsley, chopped |
| 0.25 cup | 60 ml | fresh mint, chopped |
| 2 tsp | 10 ml | allspice |
| 2 tsp | 10 ml | onion powder |
| 1 tsp | 5 ml | kosher salt |
| 0.5 tsp | 2.5 ml | pepper |
| 1 jar | grape leaves (15-ounce jar) | |
| 0.5 cup | 120 ml | lemon juice |
| 0.5 cup | 120 ml | water |
Instructions
Prep Time: 40 minutes Cook Time: 12 minutes Servings: 30-35 pieces
Approx. pressure build: 6 minutes. Pressure release: natural 10 minutes.
- Mix basmati rice, ground meat, garlic, herbs, and spices together in a large bowl.
- Rinse jarred grape leaves under cool water and separate onto paper towels.
- Cover the bottom of the pot with a few plain grape leaves.
- On paper towels or a cutting board, carefully spread out one grape leaf at a time, vein side up. Remove the stem. Start by adding 1 tablespoon meat filling at the bottom of the leaf. The amount of filling will determine the size of each grape leaf. Fold the edges in and up, then roll the grape leaf until it looks like a cigar, tucking the edges under the roll. Repeat with remaining grape leaves.
- Place rolled grape leaves in the pot, packing them together tightly and facing them in the same direction. Once you've finished placing the first layer, place the second layer in the opposite direction. After all the grape leaves are placed in the pot, add water and lemon juice.
- Assemble pressure lid, making sure the pressure release valve is in the SEAL position. Select PRESSURE and set to HIGH. Set time to 12 minutes. Select START/STOP to begin.
- When cooking is complete, allow pressure to natural release for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, quick release any remaining pressure by moving the pressure release valve to the VENT position. Carefully remove lid when unit has finished releasing pressure.
- Let the grape leaves cool slightly before transferring to a platter and serving.
A tip from the Ninja® Kitchen Team: For added flavor, add 1/4 cup raisins and 1/4 cup pine nuts at step 1.