Where to find grape leaves

They also have things like Greek coffee and tea, olive oil cookbooks, pottery, coins, books, music, religious items, and beauty products. All of these things can be shipped internationally, so everyone can experience a taste of Greece. He started with a small shop in a Southern Lebanese village selling freshly roasted nuts, coffee, and hand-mixed spices. The owner maintains his grandfather's dedication to freshness, roasting their coffee and nuts fresh daily, and they still hand-mix their spices.

The owner's grandfather's recipes are still used too, to produce unique products. For the products that are sourced rather than made, Hashems is still just as dedicated to quality. Their selection of grape leaves is larger than some, offering three different brands of jarred grape leaves to choose from.

All are fresh and ready for baking. Beyond their selection of grape leaves, they have quite a variety of other products available as well. You can get a lot accomplished in one place. Other categories include bread and baked goods, dairy, desserts, essential oils, candy, health and personal care, hookah accessories, home goods, kitchenware, meat and fish, spices and herbs, soups, tea, pasta, grains, and so much more. HEB officially began in Though originally called something else, that original company is what eventually became the huge establishment that is now HEB.

It all started with a tiny shop opened by a struggling woman trying to care for three children and a sick husband. At first, it was a small grocery store offering a limited number of products. About ten years later they began home delivery. The store grew quickly and it moved around a lot as it constantly needed larger spaces to accommodate the increasing demand. They eventually moved online as well where they have continued to grow.

Today, they operate a successful chain of stores as well as a booming online retail business. They have everything you could possibly need in terms of groceries. This is good news for anyone who prefers to do their shopping online — they can do it all in one place. I loved the efficiency of this Dolmer brand roller , in which you place a grape leaf flat, push in some filling, and then slide a mechanism like a mandoline that pops out a perfectly rolled cigar.

To shape your own dolmas by hand, lay the grape leaf, bottom-side-up, with the tip of the leaf pointing towards you, on your work surface. Use scissors to snip any remaining stem from the leaf. Shape one tablespoon of filling into a loose, two-inch log and place it on the leaf at the base of the stem.

Fold the left and then right sides of the leaf over the log, then fold the top down over the filling as well.

Without pulling tightly, gently roll the log down towards yourself, forming a two-and-a-half—inch cigar-shaped roll. Place the dolma, flap-down, in your cooking vessel and repeat. When it comes time to finish cooking your grape leaves, the general method is simple: Pack rolled dolmas snugly in a heavy pot or baking dish, cover with liquid and a bit of fat, and simmer until the filling is cooked and the leaves are tender.

The most basic recipes get by on lightly salted water, olive oil, and a squeeze of lemon juice, but I like to mix it up to add a few more layers of flavor. Sweet and tangy tamarind and dried apricots brighten up rich meat dolmas, or try adding a splash of dry white wine and a strip of orange zest to vegetarian recipes. Swap out the water for stock, adjusting the salt in your filling as needed, or use butter or even browned butter!

Just steer clear of dairy-based cooking liquids, which tend to curdle unattractively, and instead serve the finished dolmas with dollops of Greek yogurt or labneh on the side. As we near fresh grape leaf season, keep an eye out for vines in your area, and make friends with your green-thumbed neighbors. The plants typically produce more leaves than they need and gardeners often prune and discard the extras.

They are lovely at any temperature, but I enjoy them most out in the garden with a glass of cool, young wine. If you're looking for unstuffed grape leaves , the best place to start your search is in the international aisle. Check the shelves with Mediterranean or Greek products. The next place to check is the deli area. Some stores offer grape leaves in the cold case with hummus and tabouli.

The last stops are the condiment and canned goods aisles. You may find canned or jarred grape leaves by the olives and pickled foods. Having trouble finding them?

We've listed several stores that typically stock grape leaves below Dolmas are grape leaves stuffed with a wide variety of ingredients, but vegan options generally include rice and veggies.

They make crave-worthy lunches as well as perfect party snacks. Here's a Lebanese recipe with potatoes and rice. Here's another take on dolmas with rice, tomato paste and pine nuts. Stuffed grape leaves vary by region, and they tend to offer a lot of leeway for creating your own spins on fillings.