Description
Polish stuffed cabbage rolls showcase hearty comfort from Eastern European cuisine. Tender leaves wrap savory meat and rice, offering delicious warmth that connects families through generations.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (500 g) ground beef or mix of beef and pork
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1 cup cooked white rice (or uncooked if simmering for longer)
- 1 large head green cabbage
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce
- 1 cup beef or vegetable broth
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (for filling)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped (for filling)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped (for sauce)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (for sauce)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp salt (for filling)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
- ½ tsp dried thyme or oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste (for sauce)
Instructions
- Cabbage Preparation: Boil water in a large pot, remove cabbage core, and immerse whole cabbage to soften leaves for 12 minutes. Carefully separate 12-15 intact leaves, trimming thick stems for smooth rolling surface.
- Filling Creation: Blend ground meat with herbs, spices, and binding ingredients, mixing gently to maintain a light, uniform texture without compressing the protein.
- Roll Assembly: Position meat mixture near stem end of each leaf, fold sides inward, and roll from bottom to create compact parcels. Arrange rolls seam-side down in a cooking vessel to prevent unraveling.
- Sauce Development: Craft a rich sauce by combining tomato components, aromatic spices, and liquid elements to enhance overall flavor profile.
- Cooking Process: Pour sauce over cabbage rolls, ensuring complete coverage. Seal vessel and simmer on low heat for 45-60 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and filling to cook thoroughly. Monitor liquid levels, adding additional sauce if needed.
- Finalization: Verify internal meat temperature and cabbage tenderness. Remove from heat, rest briefly, and serve the perfectly prepared cabbage rolls.
Notes
- Leaf Prep Technique: Blanch cabbage leaves gently to prevent tearing, ensuring they remain flexible without becoming mushy or falling apart during rolling.
- Meat Mixture Mastery: Mix ground meat ingredients lightly with a fork, avoiding overpacking to maintain a tender, soft texture that won’t become dense or tough.
- Sauce Balancing Act: Create a well-seasoned sauce that complements the filling, using tomato base with herbs to enhance overall flavor depth without overwhelming the delicate cabbage rolls.
- Storage Smart: Cabbage rolls freeze exceptionally well, so prepare extra batches and store in airtight containers for convenient future meals that maintain their original taste and texture.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1/2 hours
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Eastern European
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg