Sarmale moldovenești – small vine-leaf rolls

Ingredients

• 40 brined vine leaves
• 500 g minced pork
• 150 g uncooked rice
• 1 finely chopped onion
• 1 grated carrot
• 2 tbsp oil
• 2 tbsp chopped dill
• 2 tbsp tomato purée
• 8 dl meat stock
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• salt and pepper
• sour cream to serve

Method

1. 1Rinse vine leaves well. Sauté onion and carrot in oil for 5 minutes and cool.
2. 2Mix meat, rinsed rice, vegetables, dill, pepper and a little salt. Add small spoonfuls to leaves, fold in sides and roll loosely.
3. 3Line pot with spare leaves and pack rolls tightly. Mix stock, tomato purée and lemon and pour over. Place a small heatproof plate on top to hold rolls in place.
4. 4Simmer covered for 90–100 minutes until rice is tender and meat cooked through. Add water if needed and serve with sour cream.