STUFFED GRAPE LEAVES

1 cup uncooked basmati brown or traditional white rice
2 large tomatoes, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1/4 cup chopped parsley
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
Juice of 1 lemon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon allspice
One 16 oz jar of grape leaves
1 cup tomato sauce
2 cups water
Round sliced carrots, frozen or fresh
approximately 15 carrot slices, depending on their size)

Mix all ingredients except grape leaves, tomato sauce, water, and carrots in a bowl. Remove grape leaves from jar, unfold, and rinse with water. Place grape leaves with the rough side up, one at a time, on a large, flat plate. Be sure that the pointy parts of the leaf are directed away from you and the flatter edges and stem are towards you. Place one teaspoon of the mixture on the bottom of the leaf, near the stem, and arrange it lengthwise using your fingers. First roll the flat edges near the stem upwards and tuck them slightly under the filling. Then applying pressure to keep the leaves rolled tightly, tuck one side at a time of the two parts of the leaf pointing outwards. Now, roll the rest of the way upwards still applying pressure to keep the leaf tight.

Cook sliced carrots in water until tender. Cover the bottom layer of a large pot with these carrots. Begin layering the stuffed leaves above the carrots and be sure that they are packed tightly together; otherwise they may fall apart during cooking. Each layer of leaves should be in varying directions across the pot. Pour the tomato sauce and water over the leaves and bring the sauce to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, and place a flat plate (glass or stoneware) upside down over the top layer of leaves, and press down as hard as you can. Leave the plate in place during cooking. Cover the pot with its cover as well, and cook for 40-45 minutes. Check one leaf to see if rice has cooked fully. Serve warm.

LEMON AND GARLIC POTATO SALAD

2-1/2 pounds red potatoes
1/2 cup chopped parsley
1 clove garlic, minced
Juice of 2 lemons
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Boil potatoes, and cool. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Chill and serve.

BEAN SALAD

One 16-ounce bag frozen French cut green beans
One 16-ounce can black eyed peas
2 large ripe tomatoes, chopped
1/2 cup chopped parsley
4 entire scallions, chopped
Juice of 2 lemons
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Steam and drain the green beans and allow them to cool completely. Drain and rinse the black eyed peas. Combine all ingredients and mix well. May be served chilled.

SPINACH WITH DILL

1 medium onion, chopped
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
2 garlic cloves, chopped
2 Tablespoons chopped fresh dill
One 15-ounce can tomato sauce
10 ounces frozen, thawed spinach
1/2 cup water
Salt and pepper to taste

Saute onions in oil. Add garlic and dill to saucepan and continue to saute for two minutes. Add tomato sauce and bring to a boil. Simmer for 10 minutes on low heat. Add spinach and water, then bring to a boil again. Cover and simmer on low heat for 15 minutes. Serve warm over cooked rice.

Total Calories Per Serving: 94

Fat: 4 grams

FOOL MEDEMMAS -- FAVA BEANS

(Serves 4)

This way of preparing fava beans, which are commonly eaten as a breakfast food in Egypt, is my uncle's recipe. The ingredients tend to be common for the dish but may be varied in their quantities.

One 16-ounce can cooked fava beans
1 large onion, chopped
1 large tomato, diced
1-1/2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon cumin powder
1/4 cup parsley, chopped
Juice of 2 lemons
Salt, pepper, and red chili pepper to taste
Pita bread (optional)

Pour the beans into a pot and bring to a boil. Mix them well and add remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil again, then reduce to medium heat and cook for about 5 minutes. This dish is usually eaten with pita bread.

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