Cabbage rolls are a delicious dish made by rolling a filling, often including ground meat and rice, in blanched cabbage leaves and then cooking them in a flavorful sauce. Here’s a basic recipe to guide you through the process:
Ingredients: For the cabbage rolls:
- 1 large green cabbage
- 1 pound (450g) ground meat (beef, pork, chicken, or a mixture)
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 egg
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried herbs (such as thyme, oregano, or parsley)
For the sauce:
- 2 cups tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup broth (chicken or vegetable)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Prepare the Cabbage Leaves:
- Bring a large pot of water to boil.
- Carefully remove the core of the cabbage using a knife.
- Place the whole cabbage into the boiling water for a few minutes until the outer leaves start to soften and can be peeled off easily.
- Remove the cabbage from the water and gently peel off the leaves one by one. You may need to put the cabbage back into the boiling water for a few more minutes if the leaves are still too firm.
- Prepare the Filling:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the ground meat, cooked rice, chopped onion, minced garlic, egg, dried herbs, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly combined.
- Assemble the Cabbage Rolls:
- Take a cabbage leaf and trim the tough center stem if necessary.
- Place a spoonful of the filling onto the center of the cabbage leaf.
- Fold in the sides of the leaf and then roll it up tightly, similar to how you would roll a burrito. Repeat with the remaining leaves and filling.
- Prepare the Sauce:
- In a separate bowl, mix together the tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes, broth, olive oil, sugar (if using), salt, and pepper.
- Cook the Cabbage Rolls:
- Spread a thin layer of the sauce on the bottom of a large pot or a baking dish.
- Arrange the cabbage rolls seam-side down in the pot or dish.
- Pour the remaining sauce over the cabbage rolls.
- Cooking Options:
- Stovetop: Cover the pot and simmer on low heat for about 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the cabbage leaves are tender and the filling is cooked.
- Oven: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 1 to 1.5 hours.
- Serve:
- Once cooked, carefully remove the cabbage rolls from the pot or baking dish.
- Serve the cabbage rolls hot, with some of the sauce spooned over them.
Cabbage rolls are often enjoyed with a dollop of sour cream on top. You can also customize the filling and sauce according to your preferences. Enjoy your homemade cabbage rolls!