Grilled Salmon Dolmas with Herbed Tzatziki

You may know dolmas (stuffed grape leaves) as the mysterious, tubular garnishes that you leave untouched when you order a Greek salad. This dish is similar in name only. Grilling the grape leaves (traditional dolmas use grape leaves straight out of the jar) makes them crisp and smoky rather than chewy and bland, while the salmon nuggets are kept moist because they're not exposed to direct heat. Just about the only thing you can do wrong here is buy inferior salmon; the recipe only works with the thick and fatty kind, so opt for king or coho over sockeye.

These suckers are ideal for a small get-together. They can be assembled ahead of time and kept in the fridge; you can grill them in about four minutes total right before it's time to sit down. They're good anywhere from room temp to hot, they're easy to eat, and they're just unusual enough to impress your guests with your worldliness without scaring them off.

Grilled Salmon Dolmas with Herbed Tzatziki

Cooking Time
20 minutes

Serves
2–4 dolma innovators

Tools
Chef's knife
Cutting board
Mixing bowl
Paper towels
Grill brush
Tongs

Ingredients
1 lb. salmon, skin removed, cut into large chunks (aim for ~1" cubes)
1 large pinch dill (~2 sprigs), picked from stems and very thinly sliced
1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
Black pepper
Cayenne
1 tablespoon canola oil, plus more for grill
10–12 grape leaves, carefully unrolled

7 oz. (1 small container) low-fat Greek yogurt
1/4 red onion, very finely diced
1/2 medium cucumber, seeded and finely diced
1 medium handful flat-leaf parsley, picked from stems and very finely chopped
1 small handful dill, picked from stems and very thinly sliced
Juice of 1/2 lemon
2 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher or sea salt
Black pepper
Cayenne

Steps
1. Bring half of a grill to high heat. (If using charcoal, burn half a chimney of coals until covered in white ash and arrange on one side of the grill. If using gas, turn all burners to high to heat the grates, and then turn off half of the burners so all the heat is coming from one side.)

2. To form the dolmas, toss together salmon, large pinch dill, 1 teaspoon salt, black pepper and cayenne to taste, and canola oil in a mixing bowl. Rinse grape leaves under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Place each chunk of salmon in the center of a grape leaf. Fold the edges of the grape leaf inward, and then roll up the grape leaf to completely wrap salmon.

3. Prepare grill by scrubbing grates with a grill brush and greasing with an oiled paper towel held in a pair of tongs.

4. Arrange dolmas crease-side down on hot side of grill. Sear crease side until crisp and lightly charred, about 1 minute. Flip and sear smooth side until crisp and lightly charred, about 1 minute.

5. Transfer dolmas to cool side of grill. Cover grill and cook until salmon is medium/medium-rare (a knife or skewer inserted into the center of a dolma for a few seconds will feel warm but not scorching hot to the touch), about 2 minutes. Transfer dolmas to a plate. Turn off grill (if using gas). Scrub grates with grill brush before coming back inside.

6. To make tzatziki, stir together yogurt, red onion, cucumber, parsley, small handful dill, lemon juice, and olive oil. Season lightly with salt, pepper, and cayenne. Taste and adjust seasoning.

7. Serve dolmas hot or at room temperature with tzatziki on the side. Try to show some restraint and eat in two bites instead of one, especially if you have company.