Mehshi Warak

Mehshi Warak is Lebanese for stuffed vine leaves. The Lebanese version is different from the Greek Dolmathes. Lebanese put less stuffing in a leaf, making the rolls smaller and elegant looking. There is no heavy creamy sauce on top - just simply cooked in a lemon, water and salt sauce.

Making this meal was such a treat - I picked up the leaves from the jardin's grape vine. Rolling them was like meditation; the sweet anticipation while they slowly cooked. The leaves were excellent quality - they did not break as they were briefly blanched. This Mehshi was the best I have tasted, other than mom's.