Stuffed Cabbages Rolls

Stuffed cabbage rolls are a delicious and comforting dish where cabbage leaves are filled with a flavorful mixture, often including ground meat, rice, and various seasonings. The rolls are then cooked in a flavorful tomato-based sauce. Here’s a basic recipe for making stuffed cabbage rolls:

Ingredients:

For the Cabbage Rolls:

• 1 large head of cabbage
• 1 pound ground beef (you can also use a mixture of ground pork and beef)
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs
• 1 egg
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil

For the Tomato Sauce:

• 2 cans (14 ounces each) crushed tomatoes
• 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
• 1 cup beef or vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup raisins
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Cabbage Leaves:
   • Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
   • Carefully remove the core from the cabbage.
   • Immerse the whole head of cabbage in the boiling water for a few minutes until the outer leaves become soft and pliable.
   • Remove the leaves one at a time with tongs, draining each leaf and allowing it to cool.
2. Prepare the Filling:
   • In a mixing bowl, combine the ground meat, cooked rice, chopped onion, minced garlic, bread crumbs, egg, and seasonings (salt, pepper, paprika, thyme, oregano, and basil).
   • Mix the ingredients until well combined.
3. Assemble the Cabbage Rolls:
   • Take a cabbage leaf and cut off the thick part of the stem.
   • Place a portion of the meat and rice mixture in the center of the leaf.
   • Fold the sides of the leaf over the filling and roll it up to create a neat package.
4. Make the Tomato Sauce:
   • In a large pot, combine the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, beef or vegetable broth, brown sugar, red wine vinegar, raisins, and chopped fresh parsley.
   • Season with salt and pepper to taste.
   • Simmer the sauce over low heat for about 10 minutes.
5. Cook the Cabbage Rolls:
   • Place the stuffed cabbage rolls in the pot with the tomato sauce.
   • Make sure the rolls are submerged in the sauce.
   • Cover the pot and simmer for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the cabbage leaves are tender and the meat filling is fully cooked.
6. Serve:
   • Serve the stuffed cabbage rolls with the tomato sauce, and you can garnish with additional parsley if desired.

Stuffed cabbage rolls are a classic comfort food and a great option for family gatherings or special occasions. Enjoy your homemade stuffed cabbage rolls!