MelissaWANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?
Old fashioned stuffed cabbage rolls represent a dish that combines deep historical significance with heartfelt family traditions. The dish brings me back to my childhood memories of dining with family while the kitchen was filled with comforting scents, and I remember helping with cabbage harvesting in our garden.
The dish represents more than a recipe because it contains traditional values that are carefully wrapped in cabbage leaves.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- The dish provides classic comfort through its hearty and warming nature, which suits family dining occasions.
- The recipe operates within budget because it requires basic ingredients that cost less.
- The dish develops superior flavor when refrigerated overnight before serving.
- You can replace the ground beef with pork or turkey, or use lentils to create different versions of this dish.
Ingredients
- 1 large head of green cabbage
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup cooked white rice
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Cabbage
The cabbage core needs to be extracted from its center. The leaves need to be handled with care during separation. The leaves need to be blanched in boiling water for 2–3 minutes until they become soft. The leaves need to be drained before being left to cool down.
Step 2: Make the Filling
The ground beef mixture requires the addition of cooked rice, onion and parsley and garlic and egg and salt, and pepper, which should be mixed until all ingredients become uniform.
Step 3: Roll the Cabbage
Place 2–3 tablespoons of filling onto each cabbage leaf. The filling needs to be rolled into tight packages while the sides need to be tucked in for a neat appearance.
Step 4: Make the Sauce
The Dutch oven or oven-safe pot requires the combination of diced tomatoes, beef broth, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar for the sauce. The mixture needs to reach its boiling point.
Step 5: Bake the Rolls
The cabbage rolls need to be placed inside the sauce before baking. A small amount of sauce should be placed on top before covering the dish for baking at 350°F (175°C) for 1 1/2 hours until the cabbage becomes tender and the meat reaches full cooking temperature.
The dish needs to be served hot, while additional sauce should be poured on top.
Tips & Tricks
- Freezing the entire cabbage head in the freezer overnight will make it easy to peel off its leaves when thawed.
- The leaves will separate from the cabbage head without boiling after freezing the whole head overnight.
- The use of leftover rice as a substitute works well, while brown rice provides a different flavor profile.
- The preparation of rolls for baking can be done in advance by assembling them one day before serving.
- The dish should be served with mashed potatoes or crusty bread to absorb the sauce.
FAQ
1. Can I freeze stuffed cabbage rolls?
Yes! The preparation process includes rolling and freezing uncooked cabbage rolls. The thawed rolls need additional baking time according to the instructions while following the recommended cooking method.
2. Can I use a different meat?
Absolutely. The combination of ground pork with turkey and beef/pork mixture produces excellent results in this dish.
3. Why is there sugar in the sauce?
The combination of brown sugar with tomatoes and vinegar produces a balanced sweet and savory taste in the sauce.
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