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Stuffed Wild Grape Leaves

From Identifying and Harvesting Edible and Medicinal Plants in Wild (and
Not-So-Wild) Places
30 grape leaves, at least 6 inches across, stems cut off (or substitute store-bought brined grape leaves)
1-1/2 cups of water

For Stuffing:

2 cups brown rice
1 cup chopped tofu
1/2 cup raisins
1/4 cup sprouts or leftover vegetables
2 tablespoons chopped wild onions or scallions
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
2 tablespoons sunflower seeds or chopped walnuts
1 teaspoon rosemary
1-1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh dill or 1/2 teaspoon dried
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon sage
1/2 teaspoon salt
Pinch of cayenne pepper

For Sauce:

6 cloves garlic, peeled
1-1/2 teaspoons fresh ginger
2 cups stock
1/4 cup almonds
1/4 cup tahini (sesame paste)
Sea salt to taste

1. Boil leaves in 2 quarts salted water for a few minutes until pliable. Drain and rinse leaves under cold running water. Set aside. (If using store-bought grape leaves, simply rinse them; don't blanch.)

2. Mix together stuffing ingredients.

3. Place a heaping tablespoon on underside of each leaf near stem end. Fold left and right sides of leaf over part of stuffing. Roll up leaf from base to tip. Repeat with all leaves.

4. Place leaves on steamer rack in large pot. In the bottom of the pot put the stock, garlic, and ginger from list of sauce ingredients.

5. Steam 40 minutes or until leaves are tender. (Or you can pressure cook 15 minutes.)

6. To make sauce, put the liquid from the steaming pot into a saucepan and add rest of sauce ingredients. Simmer 10 minutes.

7. Transfer to blender, blend until smooth, and add more salt if needed.
Makes 30 Stuffed Grape Leaves

Prep. Time: 1 hour
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