Indulge your taste buds with our delectable Stuffed Cabbage Rolls recipe, a savory symphony of flavors and textures. Bursting with a harmonious blend of ground meat, fragrant rice, and vibrant spices, this dish transforms humble cabbage leaves into culinary masterpieces. As you embark on this culinary journey, prepare to be captivated by the enticing aroma wafting through your kitchen.
To begin, carefully select plump and fresh cabbage leaves, ensuring their tenderness for easy rolling. As you assemble these parcels of goodness, marvel at the meticulous balance between the robust meat filling and the delicate rice, each ingredient enhancing the other in a dance of taste and texture. Picture the vibrant colors of the spices, infusing the rolls with warmth and depth.
As you sauté the aromatic onions and garlic, envision the savory fragrance enveloping your senses, signaling the start of a mouthwatering adventure. The assembly process is a delightful choreography of folding and tucking, creating perfectly compact rolls that promise a symphony of flavors in every bite.
Next, nestle the rolls in a simmering bath of flavorful tomato sauce, allowing them to soak up the rich essence. Witness the gradual melding of ingredients, a transformation that elevates these humble cabbage rolls to a gastronomic masterpiece.
Ingredients:
– 1 cup COOKED long-grain rice (or a similar variety)
– 1.5 pounds lean ground beef (or ‘extra lean’)
– 1.5 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
– 1 large egg
– 1 yellow onion, peeled and minced
– ⅓ cup parsley, roughly chopped
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 1.5 teaspoons salt
– ½ teaspoon black pepper
– Half teaspoon dried dill
– ½ teaspoon onion powder
– ½ to 1 teaspoon red chili flakes (optional)
– 42 ounces tomato sauce, divided (Three 398 milliliters cans or 14-ounce cans (roughly 5 cups). See point 5 below in recipe ‘Notes.’)
– 1 medium head green cabbage (you’ll need about 18 leaves for the rolls and another 8 to 10 or so for the bottom of the dish and over the top.)
– Half cup of water (leftover from boiling cabbage)
– Fresh dill, chopped (garnish, optional)
Directions:
1. Cook rice per package instructions and set aside. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. In a large bowl, combine ground beef with Worcestershire sauce, egg, cooked rice, onion, parsley, garlic, salt, pepper, dill, onion powder, red chili flakes (if using), and ½ cup of tomato sauce. Mix until well combined.
3. In a large pot of boiling water, add the head of cabbage and boil for 8 to 10 minutes, turning over partway through. Carefully remove. Don’t discard water; you will need it to re-boil the cabbage as you start peeling off the leaves and for the sauce. Note: Don’t fill the pot all the way up because the cabbage will displace some of the water. Before boiling the water, test how much the water will displace by placing the head of cabbage in the pot.
4. Once the cabbage is cool enough to handle, carefully remove leaves and cut out the core from each leaf. If needed, add the cabbage back to the boiling water to soften more leaves. Boil for another bit, let cool enough to handle, and continue removing leaves.
5. Place some cabbage leaves on the bottom of a deep 9″ x 13″ baking dish or roasting pan. Taking one leaf at a time, distribute about ¼ cup of the ground beef mixture on top and wrap up (fold in sides and roll up, placing in the prepared dish, seam side down). Continue with the remaining ground beef mixture and leaves.
6. Combine the remaining tomato sauce with ½ cup of cabbage water. Whisk to incorporate everything. Pour over the top of cabbage rolls.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for about 1 hour or until the cabbage rolls are cooked through.
8. Optional: Garnish with chopped fresh dill before serving.
Conclusion:
Serve these Stuffed Cabbage Rolls piping hot, their savory allure heightened by a garnish of fresh herbs. With each forkful, savor the medley of tastes and textures, a culinary crescendo that will leave your palate singing. This recipe is not just a meal; it’s an experience, inviting you to relish the artistry of flavors meticulously woven together. Prepare to embark on a culinary escapade that transcends the ordinary, as Stuffed Cabbage Rolls take center stage at your table.