Ingredients:

• Grape Leaves (1 jar)

• Short Grain White Rice (2 cups)

• Tomatoes (2)

• Green Onions (2 stalks)

• White Onion (1)

• Lemons (several)

• Salt & Pepper (to taste)

• Olive Oil (2 tbsp)

Instructions:

1. Soak short grain rice in water for 1 hour. Drain rice and season with salt, pepper, and olive oil.

2. Dice 1 tomato and green onions and add to rice.

3. Remove grape leaves from jar and its liquid, place the leaves on a flat surface to begin rolling leaves.

4. Place a pinch-size amount of seasoned rice in the center of the leaf. Be careful not to add too much rice or your grape leaves will be overstuffed.

5. Quarter chop the other tomato, the white onions and the lemons. Place these at the bottom of a large pot.

6. If you are including meat to cook with your grape leaves, make sure to sear the meat first and add on top of the layered lemon/tomatoes and white onions.

7. On top of the meat, start to stack your grape leaves carefully. Pour water into the pot until it reaches about an inch above the grape leaves.

8. Place a heavy plate on top of everything once its stacked to keep everything in its place while it cooks.

9. Cook on top of stove for approximately two hours, or until the grape leaves and meat become tender.