Go to most Greek, Mediterranean, or even Indian restaurants and you’ll likely find dolma on the menu. This hearty appetizer is popular around the world and relies on stuffed grape leaves as the “wrapper” for a tasty filling. For this Armenian take on dolma the stuffing is made from a traditional combination of grain and meat, deliciously spiced with rosemary and thyme.

The filling is slow-cooked in the grape leaves for a homemade taste that only time can deliver. In this case the meat is beef which gets a hint of sweetness from prunes and apples which are layered in with the dolma. Prunes are great for cooking because they add sugar and a delicate flavor without overwhelming the other ingredients in the dish.

The dolma are steamed in a pan with boiling water, then set to simmer for an hour. You can find pickled/preserved grape leaves at most international markets and at many grocery stores. If you can find fresh then that is preferred since the leaves are generally easier to work with before being preserved.

Traditionally a plate is added to weigh the dolma down and keep them in the hot water so they can cook properly. Then also add a lid to your pot so that the water stays in, too.

The things you don’t want to do are to let the water evaporate or stir the dolma once they’re in the pan as this can ruin them pretty easily.

During the last 2-3 minutes of cooking add some sunflower oil to the dolma to give them a silky finish. Then serve these with tzatziki or yogurt sauce and enjoy a treat from Armenia right in your own home.