Stuffed cabbage rolls recipe

Happy New Year!

I thought of starting out the year with something we usually don’t see often especially in Zambia. Usually, we’d toss away the outer leaves of a cabbage or cook it like rape (in the kale family)because we don’t know what to do with them.

Here’s something you can try and will definitely love, stuffed cabbage rolls; also known in some countries as Jewish cabbage or pigs in a blanket. You have to try it! Follow my step by step recipe below and check my chef tips below the recipe. Let’s get started.

INGREDIENTS

10 outer cabbage leaves (or more)

500g beef mince (raw)

1 clove garlic (finely chopped)

1 large onion (finely chopped)

¼ cup plain cooked rice

Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking oil (olive/vegetable)

4 medium tomatoes (blended/grated)

3 TBS tomato paste

Foil paper (heavy duty)

METHOD

1.       In a large pot, bring lightly salted water to a rapid boil and blanch cabbage leaves for about 2 minutes.

2.       Remove from water and set aside to drain.

3.       To make the sauce, heat up a TBSP of oil in a pan on medium heat. Add ¼ of the chopped onion and garlic and stir continuously until golden brown (do not burn them). Add the tomatoes and the tomato paste and cook till tomatoes are cooked through. (Shouldn’t be too watery or too thick).  Add salt and pepper to taste.

4.       In a bowl, combine mince, cooked rice,  ¾ of the chopped onion, salt and pepper.  Mix well.

5.       Lay a cabbage leaf flat on a clean board, get a TBSP of the mince and place it slightly towards the end of the leaf (near you). Begin to roll in a firm but gentle way. When approaching the end, fold in the sides and roll to avoid the mince spilling out of the sides.

6.       Face the cabbage rolls downwards to avoid them opening. Repeat the process again till everything is done.

7.       If you have a Pyrex dish, arrange the rolls gently inside and pour the sauce over. Cover it with the Pyrex dish lid or foil paper (tightly). Bake in a PREHEATED oven at 175 degrees C for 1h 30 min.

8.       If you don’t have a Pyrex dish, in a large pan, arrange the cabbage rolls in the pan and pour the sauce over and cover with a lid that doesn’t allow moisture to escape and simmer on low heat for 1h 30 min.

9.       Garnish with fresh herbs and serve with some nice spicy rice / salad or even as it is. It’s yummy and healthy. Enjoy!!

CHEF TIPS 101

·         To blanch is to place something in rapidly salted water for 2-5 minutes in an uncovered pot.

·         Cut the stalks of the cabbage leaves to make it easier to roll.

·         The dish doesn’t need to be heavily spiced and is great eaten as is. For those trying to lose some pounds/KGs, it can be eaten on its own.

·         If you like pork, combine 250g pork mince and 250g beef mince.

·         Be patient when rolling, if you don’t get it the first time, try again.

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