Culinary Delight: Dolmathakia me Kima

It is only about 1 p.m. and I am already thinking about dinner. So, I know what I want for dinner, but do you? Well, read on to indulge your senses and tastebuds...if you dare to try some international cuisine. Don't worry! If I can make it, so can you!

Dolma

My whole life, I have been very lucky to have indulged in delicious, culinary delights. One of my favorite meals growing up and still today is a type of Greek food called Dolmathakia me Kima. Don't worry, I don't speak Greek either. In English, it means stuffed grape leaves with meat and rice.

How long does it take to make?
-Roughly 60 minutes



What will you need?

• 1 jar of large grape leaves in brine (about 60-75 leaves)
• you can find these at most grocery stores like Target
• 2 pounds of lean ground beef
• Can be replaced with pork or fish
• 1 cup of uncooked short-grain rice
• 1 medium-large onions, finely chopped
• 5 tablespoons of olive oil
• juice of 3 lemons
• lemon slices
• unflavored yogurt (your choice, not really needed)
• 1/4 teaspoon of pepper
• 1 teaspoon of sea salt

Preparing:

-Boil the rice

-Heat the oven to 425 degrees

-Combine and cook the ground beef and onions

-When both the rice and meat are done, mix them together in a big bowl. Then, add the pepper, lemon juice, 1/4 teaspoon of pepper, and 1 teaspoon of sea salt to the bowl.

Rolling

-Separate the leaves and have about two for each dolma. Put about a tablespoon on the two combined leaves' non-shiny surface. In other words, the shiny part of the leaf will be the outside. Roll up the leaves so the mixture doesn't fall out.

Place in an ovensafe pan

-Place next to each other in an ovensafe pan.

-Pour a small amount of water in the pan to keep the leaves moist while cooking.

-Place in the oven for about 30 minutes.

Serving:

-Place about 4-5 dolma on a plate with a lemon wedge and unflavored yogurt on the side. Of course, the yogurt and lemon wedge are not necessary but typically it is served that way.

Didn't finish all of them?

-Don't worry, you can store them in a refrigerator for about 5 days. Drizzle some olive oil on them before placing in the fridge to keep them moist. Then, you can reheat them or serve at room temperature. And believe me, they make for a great lunch the next few days!

If you are more of a beginner cook, feel free to check out this video. However, the recipe in this video may differ from my family's recipe. 

-Are you brave enough to attempt this recipe?

October Fun

As I walked outside with my cup of coffee, I noticed an orange leaf fall to the ground in front of me. I picked it up and looked around. It is October and fall is in the air. What should you do to enjoy October? How about you travel back to your childhood years.

1/2 of my family

When I say travel back to your childhood I am not talking about costumes, but pumpkins. Every year my family travels to a pumpkin patch to pick out pumpkins to carve. It becomes an all day event at the Belvedere Plantation. We bring the kids so they can ride ponies, make scarecrows, pet farm animals, enjoy corn mazes, and of course, travel to a field of pumpkins to yank one off a vine!

Me carrying all the pumpkins for $26.99!

There are many farms that allow people to enjoy the festivities of October. The farm my family goes to is located in Fredericksburg, Va. called the Belvedere Plantation. There is a small fee to get in, but the festivities are free. The pumpkins are not over priced and if you carry all you can 3 steps, then you get them for $26.99. I have been stuck carrying all the pumpkins 3 steps for 3 years now.

My advice is don’t be scared to still be in touch with your childish side. Carving pumpkins is a fun activity and when you are done you can bake the pumpkin seeds! Click for a recipe! Remember to take a break from your busy lifestyle and have a little fun!

Do you have any good fall ideas?