Cabbage Rolls Recipe
Ingredients:
For the Sweet and Sour Tomato Sauce:
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 cup water
For the Meat Filling:
- 1 pound ground pork
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ cup jasmine rice, rinsed
- ⅓ cup chopped parsley
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 large cloves garlic, minced
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
Additional:
- 2 to 3 pounds green cabbage
Directions:
- Prepare the Oven and Pots:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Simultaneously, prepare a large bowl of cold water to halt the cooking of the cabbage leaves once blanched.
- Prepare the Cabbage Leaves:
- Carefully detach the leaves from the head of cabbage. Blanch the leaves in the boiling water for about 3 minutes or until they become tender and pliable.
- Immediately transfer the blanched leaves to the cold water to stop further cooking. Once cooled, drain and pat dry.
- To make the leaves easier to roll, cut out a small V-shaped notch at the base of each leaf to remove the thick part of the stem.
- Make the Sweet and Sour Tomato Sauce:
- In a bowl, mix the crushed tomatoes, ground cinnamon, brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, and water until well combined.
- Prepare the Baking Dish:
- Spread about a quarter of the tomato sauce evenly across the bottom of a 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish.
- Mix the Meat Filling:
- In a separate large bowl, combine the ground pork, ground beef, rinsed jasmine rice, chopped parsley, diced onion, minced garlic, egg, black pepper, and salt. Mix thoroughly until the ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Assemble the Cabbage Rolls:
- Lay a prepared cabbage leaf flat on a clean work surface.
- Place about 2 tablespoons of the meat mixture near the base of the leaf, shaping it into a small log.
- Fold the sides of the leaf inward over the meat, then roll from the base up to the top to encase the filling securely.
- Place each roll seam-side down in the sauced baking dish.
- Finish and Bake:
- Once all the rolls are in the dish, pour the remaining sauce evenly over them.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the meat and rice are thoroughly cooked.
- Serve:
- Remove from oven, let rest for a few minutes, and then serve hot. Cabbage rolls can be served as an appetizer, side dish, or a hearty main course.
Tips:
- Ensure the rice is well rinsed to remove excess starch, which helps in cooking the rice perfectly within the rolls.
- Adjust the seasoning of the meat mixture and sauce according to your taste preferences, possibly adding herbs like thyme or marjoram for additional flavor.
This traditional cabbage roll recipe provides a comforting, hearty meal perfect for any family dinner. Enjoy your cooking, and I hope this dish becomes a new favorite!
