Living Rawesome

Day #275 Vegetables and Grape Leaf Dolmas with Sumac Flatbread and Cool Mint, Tahini, and Aleppo Pepper Sauces pg. 138 entertaining in the raw

April 24, 2010

The finished entree

I think it turned out really nice. I had a relaxing experience in the kitchen tonight. I was not too rushed to get it done, and I just listened to Johnny Cash songs and just danced and had a fun time. I prefer Joaquin Phoenix’s voice over Johnny Cash, but without Johnny Cash I wouldn’t have known about how great J.P. could sing. I wish Joaquin would come back:) Hope I get my wish this year! He is one of my faves.

Vegetable Dolmas Ingredients
almond crumbs
parsley
pattypan squash
baby zucchini
cherry tomatoes
olive oil
lemon juice
salt and pepper

Pulse the almond crumbs and parsley in a food processor. Add vegetable filling, olive oil, and lemon juice. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and fill the vegetables with this mixture.

Grape Leaf Dolmas Ingredients
cauliflower
mac nuts
olive oil
nama shoyu (I used Bragg’s Liquid Aminos)
salt
garam masala
coriander
cumin
currants
grape leaves
Process cauliflower in food processor to rice like consistency; place cauliflower in a separate bowl and set aside. Blend remaining igredients except grape leaves in Vita-Mix until smooth. Pour over cauliflower and mix until well coated. Spread mixture on dehydrator Teflex sheets and dehydrate 1-2 hours. Roll grape leaves with equal amounts of filling.

I absolutely loved the Dolmas, this is one of my faves now too. I love to eat things that I haven’t had before. The flavor was so unique, I could taste the garam masala and salt. Ahhhh what a refreshing meal, it is surprisingly light in flavor but filling. If you have this book make this recipe. It doesn’t take that long and the grape leaves are so incredible and easy to eat. They are not chewy or earthy, their texture isn’t like anything I have eaten before. I think it’s perfect for a lunch meal with your friends.

“I went to have dinner at their house before I even heard about the movie. We were in their living room and John just started strumming. He said he was waiting for June before he could get his nerve up. And I thought, ‘Wow, this is Johnny Cash waiting to get his nerve up. This guy has played prisons and he’s nervous.’ Then June came in and they started singing On the Banks of the River Jordan and they’re looking into each other’s eyes, and the connection and love they had was palpable.” Joaquin Phoenix