Stuffed cabbage rolls are a delicious and hearty dish enjoyed in many cuisines around the world. Here’s a basic recipe to make them:
### Ingredients:
#### For the cabbage rolls:
– 1 large head of cabbage
– 1 lb ground beef or pork (or a mix of both)
– 1 cup cooked rice
– 1 medium onion, finely chopped
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 egg
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 1 teaspoon paprika
– 1 teaspoon dried dill (optional)
#### For the sauce:
– 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
– 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
– 1 medium onion, chopped
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– 1 tablespoon brown sugar
– 1 tablespoon vinegar (apple cider or white)
– Salt and pepper to taste
### Instructions:
1. **Prepare the cabbage:**
– Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Carefully remove the core from the cabbage and place the head into the boiling water. Cook for about 2-3 minutes or until the outer leaves are soft and pliable.
– Remove the cabbage from the water and let it cool slightly. Gently peel off the leaves. If they are still too firm, return the cabbage to the boiling water for a few more minutes. Continue until you have about 12-15 leaves.
2. **Make the filling:**
– In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, cooked rice, chopped onion, minced garlic, egg, salt, pepper, paprika, and dill (if using). Mix well until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
3. **Assemble the cabbage rolls:**
– Place about 2-3 tablespoons of filling on the thick part of each cabbage leaf. Fold the sides over the filling and roll up tightly, starting from the thick end. Secure with toothpicks if needed.
4. **Prepare the sauce:**
– In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
– Stir in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, brown sugar, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer.
5. **Cook the cabbage rolls:**
– Place the cabbage rolls seam-side down in the pot with the sauce. Spoon some sauce over the top to cover the rolls.
– Cover the pot and simmer over low heat for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the cabbage is tender and the meat is cooked through. You can also bake them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 1.5 hours.
6. **Serve:**
– Carefully remove the cabbage rolls from the pot and serve hot with the sauce spooned over the top. Enjoy!
Feel free to adjust the seasonings and ingredients to suit your taste. Some variations include adding raisins or nuts to the filling or using a different type of meat or grain.
