Ingredients
To make perfect stuffed cabbage rolls, you will need the following ingredients:
- Cabbage: 1 large head of green cabbage
- Ground Beef: 1 pound (lean preferred)
- Rice: 1 cup, cooked
- Onion: 1 medium, finely chopped
- Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
- Egg: 1 large
- Salt: 1 teaspoon
- Black Pepper: 1/2 teaspoon
- Paprika: 1 teaspoon
- Tomato Sauce: 2 cups
- Tomato Paste: 2 tablespoons
- Brown Sugar: 1 tablespoon
- Lemon Juice: 1 tablespoon
- Beef Broth or Water: 1 cup
- Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons
- Fresh Parsley: For garnish
Instructions
Follow these detailed steps to create mouthwatering stuffed cabbage rolls:
Preparing the Cabbage
- Core the Cabbage: Use a sharp knife to remove the core from the cabbage.
- Boil the Cabbage: In a large pot of boiling water, blanch the cabbage head for about 5 minutes until the outer leaves are soft.
- Separate Leaves: Carefully remove the cabbage from the pot and peel away the softened leaves. Return the cabbage to the pot if needed to soften more leaves.
- Trim the Leaves: Cut away the thick central vein from each leaf to make them easier to roll.
Making the Filling
- Cook the Rice: Prepare the rice according to package instructions and let it cool.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, cooked rice, chopped onion, minced garlic, egg, salt, pepper, and paprika. Mix until well combined.
Assembling the Rolls
- Fill the Leaves: Place a cabbage leaf on a flat surface. Add about 2 tablespoons of the beef mixture to the center of the leaf.
- Roll the Leaf: Fold the sides of the leaf over the filling and roll it up tightly from the base to the tip.
- Secure the Roll: Place the roll seam-side down. Repeat with the remaining leaves and filling.
Cooking the Rolls
- Prepare the Sauce: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, brown sugar, and lemon juice. Stir well and let it simmer for a few minutes.
- Arrange the Rolls: In a large baking dish, pour a layer of sauce on the bottom. Arrange the stuffed cabbage rolls on top, seam-side down.
- Add Remaining Sauce: Pour the remaining tomato sauce over the rolls. Add beef broth or water to ensure the rolls are submerged.
- Bake: Cover the dish with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 1.5 to 2 hours, until the cabbage is tender and the flavors have melded.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: one normal portion
- Calories: 250
- Fat: 11g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 18g