Cabbage Rolls

Here’s a classic recipe for delicious cabbage rolls:

Ingredients

For the Rolls

• 1 large head of cabbage
• 1 lb (450g) ground beef
• 1 lb (450g) ground pork
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika

For the Sauce

• 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon vinegar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

Instructions

Preparing the Cabbage

1. Remove the Core: Using a sharp knife, carefully cut around the core of the cabbage to remove it.
2. Boil the Cabbage: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Place the cabbage in the pot, core side down. Boil for about 10 minutes until the leaves are tender but not falling apart. Remove the cabbage and let it cool slightly. Carefully separate the leaves.

Making the Filling

3. Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, cooked rice, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, egg, salt, pepper, and paprika. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.

Assembling the Rolls

4. Prepare the Leaves: Lay a cabbage leaf flat. If the leaf has a thick vein, trim it down with a knife.
5. Add Filling: Place about 2 tablespoons of the meat mixture near the edge of the leaf. Fold the sides over the filling and roll up tightly.
6. Repeat: Repeat with the remaining leaves and filling.

Making the Sauce

7. Prepare the Sauce: In a large saucepan, combine the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, sugar, vinegar, salt, pepper, basil, and oregano. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes.

Cooking the Rolls

8. Layer the Rolls: In a large baking dish or Dutch oven, spread a thin layer of sauce on the bottom. Arrange the cabbage rolls seam side down in the dish. Pour the remaining sauce over the rolls, ensuring they are well-covered.
9. Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for about 1.5 to 2 hours until the cabbage is tender and the meat is cooked through.

Serving

10. Serve: Let the cabbage rolls rest for a few minutes before serving. Serve hot with additional sauce spooned over the top.

Tips

• If you prefer, you can add some grated carrots and celery to the filling for extra flavor and texture.
• These cabbage rolls freeze well, so you can make a large batch and freeze some for later.

Enjoy your homemade cabbage rolls!