ARMENIAN MIDIA DOLMA - STUFFED MUSSEL DOLMA

ARMENIAN MIDIA DOLMA - STUFFED MUSSEL DOLMA

INGREDIENTS:Serves 4
• 3 lbs. large mussels
• 3 cups chopped onions
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teapoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon allspice
• 1/2 teapoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup currants
• 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
• 1/2 cup basmati rice
• 2 cups water

PREPARATION
• Place the mussels in salted water and soak for two hours. Scrub the mussels with a stiff brush
and remove the beards.
• Open mussels with a knife and flush with fresh water.
• Sautè the onions in the olive oil until translucent to golden.
• Add the rest of the ingredients (Not the mussels), and mix well.
• Now gently open a mussel shell and add a teaspoon of the rice mixture into the shell with the
mussel and then close the shell. (DO NOT OVERFILL SO AS TO GIVE THE RICE ROOM TO EXPAND)
• Place the mussels side by side and on top of each other in a 3 inch deep baking pan or casserole,
add water and cover with a plate.
• Bake in a 300º degree oven for 1 1/2 hours.

These can be served hot, at room temperature, or chilled