Cabbage rolls

Cabbage rolls are a delicious and hearty dish made by rolling cooked cabbage leaves around a filling, typically a mixture of ground meat, rice, and seasonings. Here’s a basic recipe to make cabbage rolls:

Ingredients:

For the cabbage rolls:

  • 1 large head of cabbage
  • 1 lb (450g) ground beef or a mixture of ground beef and pork
  • 1 cup cooked rice
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce

For the sauce:

  • 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Carefully remove the core from the cabbage head, then place the whole cabbage in the boiling water. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until the outer leaves are softened and can be easily removed. Remove the cabbage from the water and let it cool slightly.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef (or mixture of meats), cooked rice, chopped onion, minced garlic, beaten egg, salt, pepper, paprika, thyme, oregano, and basil. Mix until well combined.
  4. Once the cabbage is cool enough to handle, carefully peel off the softened outer leaves, trying to keep them intact. Trim any thick or tough ribs from the leaves.
  5. Place a spoonful of the meat and rice mixture onto the center of each cabbage leaf. Roll the cabbage leaf around the filling, tucking in the sides as you go, to form a neat roll. Repeat with the remaining cabbage leaves and filling.
  6. To make the sauce, heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, sugar, salt, and pepper. Simmer the sauce for about 5 minutes, then remove from heat.
  7. Spread a thin layer of the tomato sauce in the bottom of a baking dish. Arrange the cabbage rolls seam-side down in the dish, fitting them snugly together.
  8. Pour the remaining tomato sauce over the cabbage rolls, covering them evenly.
  9. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until the cabbage rolls are tender and the meat is cooked through.
  10. Serve the cabbage rolls hot, garnished with chopped parsley if desired. Enjoy!

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