If you’re still wondering what to cook for dinner, try this cabbage rolls and pork dish. Aromatic cabbage and nutritious meat will perfectly complement your menu. Moreover, cabbage is very useful. This winter vegetable contains vitamins A, B, E, and K, as well as calcium, potassium, magnesium, and a lot of cellulose.

That is why it is added to borsch and other dishes. Take note: the more head of cabbage, the more minced meat you could put inside leaves.

Directions

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  1. Carefully disassemble the cabbage into leaves. Dip all of the leaves in a pot of salted water. Boil for 15 minutes, so that the cabbage is soft enough, but does not turn into mucus. Or you can blanch cabbage.
  2. Prepare the minced meat for stuffing. Take ready-made minced meat from the store or chop pork, bacon, and onions, salt, black pepper in a meat grinder.
  3. Try to chop the meat well. And to make the minced meat softer, add a few tablespoons of tomato sauce and sour cream.
  4. Also, add some rice to the minced meat. So stuffed cabbage will not look like a cutlet.
  5. Remove the cabbage leaves from the saucepan. Refrigerate slightly. Cut off the hard parts of the leaves.
  6. Put a spoonful of minced meat with rice in the middle of the leaf and wrap it up.
  7. Place the stuffed cabbage in the stewpan. Pour the cabbage rolls with tomato sauce and sour cream, add chopped carrots and onions. Simmer for 50 minutes.
  8. Serve with sour cream.

How to Blanch Cabbage (for Cabbage Rolls with Meat Recipe):

How to Blanch Cabbage for making Cabbage Rolls - Ronda in the Kitchen

Video by Ronda Scorpio

Additional Tips About the Recipe:

  • Cabbage: The recipe calls for one large cabbage, but it does not specify what type of cabbage to use. However, green cabbage is commonly used in cabbage roll recipes. The cabbage leaves need to be blanched to make them pliable for rolling. The recipe requires a head of cabbage that is boiled in water until the leaves become pliable. You will then remove the leaves one by one and use them to wrap the meat filling.
  • Meat: The recipe calls for ground pork and beef, but you can use any ground meat you prefer, such as chicken or turkey. The meat is cooked with onions, garlic, and spices until it’s browned.
  • Rice: The recipe calls for uncooked white rice, which is mixed with the meat filling. Some cabbage roll recipes use cooked rice instead.
  • Tomato sauce: The recipe calls for a can of tomato sauce, but you can use crushed tomatoes or tomato puree instead. The tomato sauce is mixed with water, salt, and sugar to create a sauce for the cabbage rolls. The cabbage rolls are baked in a tomato sauce made with canned tomatoes, tomato paste, and water. The sauce is seasoned with salt, sugar, and black pepper.
  • Baking and Cooking time: The cabbage rolls are baked in the oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes at 350°F (180°C) until the cabbage is tender and the meat is cooked through. The cooking time may vary depending on your oven and the size of the cabbage rolls.
  • Serving: The recipe suggests serving the cabbage rolls with sour cream and fresh dill, but you can also serve them with other toppings, such as chopped parsley or grated cheese. You can also serve them with mashed potatoes or a side salad.
  • Variations: You can modify the recipe by adding different herbs and spices to the meat filling, such as thyme, paprika, or cumin. You can also use different types of cabbage, such as savoy cabbage or Napa cabbage.
  • Storage: Leftover cabbage rolls can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the cabbage rolls for up to 3 months.

Pros, Cons, and History of the Cabbage Rolls with Meat recipe:

Pros:

  • Nutritious: This dish is a good source of protein from the meat, and vitamins and fiber from the cabbage.
  • Versatile: This recipe can be adapted to different tastes by changing the seasoning or type of meat used.
  • Comfort food: Cabbage rolls are a classic comfort food in many cultures, and can bring back fond memories or provide a sense of nostalgia.

Cons:

  • Time-consuming: This recipe requires a fair amount of preparation time, including boiling the cabbage, cooking the meat filling, and rolling the cabbage rolls.
  • Potential for dryness: Depending on how the cabbage rolls are prepared, they can become dry if not cooked properly or left in the oven for too long.
  • Not vegetarian/vegan: This recipe includes meat and is not suitable for those following a vegetarian or vegan diet.

History:
Cabbage rolls with meat are a popular dish in many cultures, including Eastern Europe, the Balkans, and the Middle East. The dish is believed to have originated in the Ottoman Empire, which included much of these regions in the 16th and 17th centuries. Over time, different regions developed their own variations of the recipe, using local ingredients and spices. Today, cabbage rolls with meat remain a beloved comfort food in many households and are often served at special occasions or holidays.