Stuffed vine leaves (yabrak, dolma, sarma) are believed to originate from Turkey. They are found in all the countries of the Levant and mainly in two forms.
There is the vegetarian version, called in the countries of the Near East yalanji ( from the Turkish yalanci dolma meaning fake dolma because without meat ). It is served cold as a starter in the same way as the famous hummus and baba ghanouj. Light and so melting, the yalanji consists of vine leaves stuffed with a mixture of rice, onions, peppers (optional), spices, olive oil, and a touch of pomegranate molasses which offers this tangy-sweet taste, typical of this dish.
Then there is the rich version, served hot as a main course. traditionally on occasions and large receptions. In the Middle East, this dish is called yabraq ( from the Turkish yaprak meaning leaf ), the vine leaves are here stuffed with a mixture of rice. minced lamb meat, spices and cooked in a lemon broth on a base of lamb chops and garlic cloves. Unlike the yalanji which is thick and small in shape, the yabraq is long and thin. The rolling of the leaves is certainly tedious and time-consuming for beginners, but becomes child's play with practice.
