My mother (of Greek origin) used to stuff vine leaves a few times a year if we were lucky, as she always claimed it was hard work – in those days they weren’t being sold in jars (preserved in brine), so you had to pick them yourself. I love stuffed veges, and I love a hint of spice, so I rustled up some filling, which took only a short while to prepare, and Hey presto . . . a ‘Summer Delight’ that looks impressive, tastes delicious and is easy to make.
Serves 2
INGREDIENTS
- 2 large iceberg leaves, washed and drained properly
- 1 cup plain rice (or any other of your choice) washed, boiled and drained
- 10 walnuts each chopped in a few pieces
- 1 small raw carrot cut into very small squares (or grated)
- ½ small, finely chopped red onion (or 2 small spring onions)
- 1 tsp curry powder
- pinch of ground cardamon
- ½ tsp paprika
- finely chopped fresh mint and basil (about 4 leaves of each)
- 2 tbsps golden sultanas
- 3 or 5 chopped, black Greek or Spanish olives
- a little dash of fresh lemon juice (optional)
- a little salt
- a little drizzle of olive or sunflower oil
METHOD
In a non-stick pan, fry your pre-boiled rice in a little oil with all the spices for a couple of minutes, then allow to cool down properly. Now add the rest of the ingredients (except for the lettuce), and blend well using a fork. Using a large spoon, place one or two servings into the centre of each iceberg leaf and roll – I would use a couple of toothpicks to keep in place. Serve immediately. A fresh fruit juice complements this wonderfully, and makes not only for a great light lunch but also a highly nutritious one ! Bon Appetit !
All recipes and content © Miriam Sorrell www.mouthwateringvegan.com 2010
These are free recipes for your pleasure – all we ask in return is that you take a few moments to leave us a constructive comment !
hey, nice blog…really like it and added to bookmarks. keep up with good work
Pleeeze don’t stop writing up your recipes! I love them!
Hi Andrea, I have no intentions of stopping – and am delighted that you love them – thanks so much. You must really enjoy the cooking and eating experience ! ! !
Just started the vegan life and loving it. Your recipes are the bomb. Here I thought eating vegan would be boring. J’m trying to convert family members, starting with your recipes. Thanks.
Pamela, thanks for your wonderful comment – I hope that the family members enjoy the recipes and one step at a time convert – it would be awesome. Let me know how it all goes – meantime, I shall continue to post more recipes. Cheers to you and have a great day !
Thanks for the great recipes! I’m on a mission to learn more about nutrition and cooking with a view to transforming my pescetarian diet into a vegan one. These recipes are wonderful.
Lovely for summer! And simple and quick enough even for novices like me to try out.
Cindy Hi there, welcome to my blog and you are in the right place for what you wish to do with your diet. Many pescetarians and omnivores have gone on to the next step until such time that being vegan became part of their lives, and with my recipes too, so I hope we can bridge the gap together. I am also a nutritionist and hope that many of my recipes bring not only culinary joy but the possibility of better health. Best to you !
Hi Alex, thanks for that – it sure is a summer favourite with us, hope you enjoy it. Cheers !
Thank you so much for sharing. I will make this for my family this weekend. Keep up the wonderful posts 🙂
Yet another delicious recipe that I can’t wait to try!!
Hi Anne, thanks for your comment and look forward to hearing back from you with how it all went – hope you enjoy it ! Best to you !
Critsina Hi, Thanks for the compliment – can’t wait to hear how it goes. Cheers to you !
I’m so glad I’ve found your blog…your recipes are amazing and my fussy teenagers don’t even realise they have finally become vegan (in my home anyway!)
Hi there Shelley and welcome here. Many thanks for dropping by here with your ever-so-wonderful (and funny) comment – good for you for taking charge of the menu at home. Hopefully your teenagers will enjoy the recipes their mum is serving them. Good luck and enjoy. I look forward to your future comments on my blog, meantime very best wishes to you !
Can’t wait to make these, sounds delish and great to take to work too….you are amazing…xx can’t wait for your book next year.
Wow ! didn`t know vegan recipes look so good. I will try most of them..Thanks, Shelly.
Pat Hi there and welcome here, I am so glad you dropped by here to see my recipes and I hope that you enjoy them. I very much look forward to your future comments on my blog. In the meantime all the very best wishes to you !
Vicki Hi there and welcome here. I am delighted that you have dropped by here with your ever-so-wonderful comment. Yes, they are great to take with you to work or anywhere else, beach, picnic etc. I do hope you enjoy them and I look forward always to your future comments here. Meantime Cheers to you !
Sounds delicious. Im not a vegan, but so looking forward to tasting this inviting dish. Thank you.
I AM Grateful to you and all the fabulous ideas you keep on coming up with .
I AM deathly allergic to Rice – what do you suggest I use in place?
Gratefully,
Susan Pearl
I am a Personal Chef and a client has recently requested for vegan options. Thanks for sharing your wonderful recipes. They have inspired some new ideas!
Hi there Lori and welcome here. Many thanks for dropping by here with your comment and I am sure you will find a host of vegan recipes to make and serve including your own touches. Very best wishes to you in the meantime.
Helen Hi there and welcome here. These days even non-vegans indulge in vegan and vegetarian dishes whether it be for variety of taste or just a lighter option or other. Let me know how it goes and I certainly look forward to your feedback and comments on my blog. Best wishes to you in the meantime.
Susan Hi there and welcome here. Thanks for dropping by here with your coment. You can use barley if you wish (first wash it thoroughly and boil it until cooked) – you could use wholemeal cous-cous. Try one of these and let me know how it goes as and when. Meantime very best wishes your way !
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Oh my goodness! Someone else does stuffed iceberg lettuce leaves! I’ve been using iceberg as a replacement for wheat-wraps for years, and I always get odd looks from my family! Lovely to see someone else makes them too! Also, I’ve spent the past 2 days going through your wonderful recipes, and I’ve bookmarked more than I can count! I think yours may be my new favourite food blog ^-^ Thanks for sharing your recipes! x
Pixie Hi there. Yes, the lettuce is a great way to create wraps and fill the leaves with whatever takes your fancy. Thanks for your kind words about my blog and I look forward to your future comments here too ! 🙂