Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Hearty and Savory: A Classic Comfort Dish with a Beautiful Presentation

Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Delve into the comforting world of stuffed cabbage rolls, a dish that brings together tender cabbage and a savory filling, cooked until the tomatoes and cabbage caramelize to perfection. Each roll is not only hearty and tasty but also presents beautifully, making it an ideal choice for a satisfying family meal or a special dinner gathering.

Ingredients -

For the Rolls:

- 1 large cabbage

- 1 onion, chopped

- 3/4 cup round rice

- 1 lb (1/2 kg) ground beef

- 1/4 cup olive oil

- 1 cup parsley, chopped

- 1 cup cilantro, chopped

- 2 garlic cloves, minced

- 1/2 teaspoon baharat (or cumin)

- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric

- 1 teaspoon salt

- 1 teaspoon paprika

- 1 tablespoon tomato paste

For the Sauce:

- 2 cups water

- 1/4 cup olive oil

- 1/4 cup date honey (or honey)

- Juice of 2 lemons

- 1/2 cup tomato paste

- 4 garlic cloves, minced

- 1 teaspoon salt

- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions -

1. Using a sharp knife, remove the hard stem from the cabbage. Blanch the whole cabbage in a pot of boiling water for 30-50 minutes, or until the leaves are soft and pliable. Set aside to cool.

2. Rinse the rice under running water until clear. Soak in water and set aside.

3. Heat 1/4 cup olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Sauté onion and garlic until golden. Add ground beef, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks until browned. Stir in baharat, turmeric, salt, paprika, and tomato paste. Remove from heat.

4. Drain the rice. Mix it into the hot beef along with parsley and cilantro. Allow to cool slightly.

5. In a large bowl, combine water, olive oil, date honey, lemon juice, tomato paste, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.

6. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and prepare a large oven-safe sauté pan.

7. Separate the cabbage leaves, trimming the thick stem of each leaf. Place a tablespoon of filling on each leaf, fold in the sides, and roll tightly. Place each roll seam-side down in the pan. Repeat until no more filling is left. Don't stress too much if some of the filling is poking out.

8. Pour the prepared sauce over the cabbage rolls. Crinkle a sheet of parchment paper, tuck it around the rolls, and cover the pan with a lid.

9. Bake in the preheated oven for 1.5 hours. Remove the lid and parchment, then broil at 430°F (220°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until the liquid is mostly evaporated and the tops are caramelized.

10. Serve the cabbage rolls warm, enjoying the rich flavors and tender texture.

Enjoy these beautifully caramelized and flavorful Stuffed Cabbage Rolls, a testament to the simple yet satisfying pleasures of hearty, well-cooked meals.

Have you tried this? please let me know what you think in the comments! feel free to ask any questions :)