“My father was such a big fan of this dish! He went back for thirds.”
Stuffed cabbage rolls are a classic comfort food enjoyed in many cultures around the world. This recipe offers a delicious and easy-to-follow guide for creating these savory parcels filled with seasoned ground meat and rice, simmered in a rich tomato sauce.
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Here’s a breakdown of the ingredients (in a table) and step-by-step instructions for making these delightful stuffed cabbage rolls:
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Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Large Green Cabbage Leaves | 12 |
| Ground Beef (or mix of beef and pork) | 1 lb |
| Cooked White Rice | 1 cup |
| Medium Onion (finely chopped) | 1 |
| Garlic Clove (minced) | 1 |
| Egg | 1 |
| Salt | 1 teaspoon |
| Black Pepper | ½ teaspoon |
| Paprika | ¼ teaspoon |
| Tomato Sauce | 2 cups |
| Beef or Chicken Broth | 1 cup |
| Olive Oil or Butter | 1 tablespoon |
| Sugar (optional) | 1 tablespoon |
| Fresh Parsley (for garnishing) | To taste |
Instructions:
-
Prep the Cabbage Leaves:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Carefully remove the outer leaves of the cabbage.
- Once the water is boiling, blanch the cabbage leaves for 2-3 minutes, or until they are pliable and easier to roll.
- Drain the blanched cabbage leaves and set them aside.
-
Make the Filling:
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef (or meat mixture), cooked rice, chopped onion, minced garlic, egg, salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Mix all the ingredients together thoroughly until well incorporated.
-
Assemble the Rolls:
- Lay a single, blanched cabbage leaf flat on a cutting board.
- Place approximately 2 tablespoons of the filling mixture near the stem end of the leaf.
- Fold the sides of the leaf inwards over the filling.
- Carefully roll up the cabbage leaf tightly, enclosing the filling.
- Repeat this process with the remaining cabbage leaves and filling mixture.
-
Simmer the Cabbage Rolls:
- Heat olive oil or butter over medium heat in a large skillet or pot.
- Once hot, carefully place the stuffed cabbage rolls seam-side down in the skillet.
- Pour the tomato sauce and beef or chicken broth over the rolls, ensuring they are mostly submerged in the liquid.
- If you prefer a sweeter sauce, add the optional tablespoon of sugar at this point.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low.
- Cover the pot or skillet and simmer the cabbage rolls for about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Baste the rolls with the sauce occasionally throughout the cooking process.
-
Serve and Enjoy:
- Once cooked through, transfer the cabbage rolls to serving plates.
- Spoon some of the flavorful sauce over the rolls.
- Garnish with fresh parsley for a touch of color and flavor.
- Serve with a side of mashed potatoes, crusty bread, or your favorite accompaniment for a complete and comforting meal.
