**Stuffed Cabbage Rolls** are a hearty, comforting dish made with tender cabbage leaves stuffed with a flavorful meat mixture, usually served with tomato sauce. Here’s a simple recipe:
### Ingredients:
#### For the cabbage rolls:
– 1 large head of cabbage
– 1 lb ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
– 1 cup cooked rice
– 1 small onion, finely chopped
– 1 egg
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tsp salt
– 1/2 tsp black pepper
– 1 tsp dried thyme (optional)
– 1/2 tsp paprika (optional)
#### For the sauce:
– 2 cups tomato sauce
– 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
– 2 tbsp brown sugar (optional for sweetness)
– 1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar (for a tangy flavor)
– 1/2 tsp salt
– 1/4 tsp black pepper
### Instructions:
1. **Prepare the cabbage:**
– Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cut out the core of the cabbage and gently separate the leaves, trying not to tear them. Blanch the cabbage leaves in the boiling water for about 2 minutes, until they’re soft and pliable. Drain and set them aside to cool.
2. **Make the filling:**
– In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, cooked rice, chopped onion, egg, minced garlic, salt, pepper, thyme, and paprika. Mix everything well.
3. **Stuff the cabbage leaves:**
– Take a cabbage leaf and place about 2 tablespoons of the meat mixture in the center. Fold in the sides of the cabbage leaf and roll it up tightly, like a burrito. Repeat with the remaining leaves and filling.
4. **Prepare the sauce:**
– In a medium saucepan, combine the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, brown sugar, lemon juice (or vinegar), salt, and pepper. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer. Let the sauce cook for 5 minutes.
5. **Assemble the dish:**
– In a large baking dish or Dutch oven, pour a thin layer of the tomato sauce on the bottom. Arrange the stuffed cabbage rolls tightly in the dish. Pour the remaining sauce over the rolls, covering them evenly.
6. **Bake the cabbage rolls:**
– Cover the dish with foil and bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for about 1.5 hours, or until the cabbage is tender and the filling is cooked through.
7. **Serve:**
– Let the cabbage rolls sit for a few minutes before serving. Spoon some of the sauce over the top and garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
### Tips:
– If you have leftover filling, you can make meatballs or just cook it separately in a skillet.
– You can freeze the stuffed cabbage rolls before cooking. Just assemble them and store them in an airtight container or freezer bag, and bake them directly from frozen (they may need a little extra time in the oven).
Stuffed cabbage rolls are a perfect comfort food for cold days or a hearty family meal!