Name: Balkan Stuffed Grape Leaves with White Sauce
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Balkan
Ingredients: 12 large vine leaves; 1 cup cooked rice; 1/2 pound ground beef; 1 onion, chopped; 1 garlic clove, minced; Salt to taste; Black pepper to taste; 1 cup sour cream; 1/2 cup milk; 1 tablespoon flour; 1 tablespoon butter

Balkan Stuffed Grape Leaves with White Sauce

A traditional Balkan dish of vine leaves stuffed with rice and meat, served with a creamy white sauce.

60 minutes4 servings

Method

In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add vine leaves and cook for 2 minutes. Drain and set aside.
In a skillet, cook ground beef until browned. Add onions and garlic, and cook until softened.
Stir in cooked rice, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
Lay a vine leaf on a flat surface, place a spoonful of the mixture in the center, and roll tightly.
Arrange the stuffed leaves in a pot, seam side down. Add 1 cup water and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
In a separate bowl, mix sour cream, milk, flour, and butter. Cook over low heat until thickened.
Serve the stuffed leaves with the white sauce on the side.
Check that the ground meat reaches 71°C (160°F) throughout before serving.