Indulge in these cabbage rolls, a classic comfort food featuring delicate leaves filled with seasoned beef and rice, cooked slowly in a flavorful tomato sauce.
This recipe deviates from traditional rolling methods and embraces the cabbage-cup trend.
By situating the filling on a steamed leaf inside a shallow dish, folding the leaf edges over the filling, and then effortlessly flipping the bowl, you unveil a perfectly crafted roll.
Enhanced with a dollop of Greek yogurt, this dish is sure to become a recurrent favorite.
Ingredients
For the cabbage rolls
- 1 small head (600-700 g) green cabbage
- 225 g medium ground beef
- 1 cup medium- or short-grain rice
- ½ yellow onion, finely diced
- 10 cloves garlic (about 1 head), minced
- 1 tsp allspice
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
For the sauce
- 2½ cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- Juice of 1 lemon
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
To serve
- Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup parsley, chopped
Preparation
Freeze the green cabbage head overnight, then thaw in the refrigerator for 12 to 18 hours or in a bowl of hot water for 1 to 2 hours.
Preheat the oven to 450 F with a rack in the middle position.
Position the cabbage head on a cutting board, peel back the layers, and detach the leaves using a paring knife if necessary. Reserve approximately 18 to 20 larger leaves and set aside the smaller inner leaves for another use.
Combine all the stuffing ingredients in a medium bowl and mix thoroughly with your hands.
To stuff the cabbage, place a leaf in a small shallow bowl, add 1 or 2 tablespoons of the filling on top, fold the leaf edges over the filling, and then invert the bowl to release the roll. Repeat this process with the remaining leaves and filling.
Subsequently, whisk the sauce components in a medium bowl until well blended. Arrange the cabbage rolls seam side down in an oven-safe dish, pack tightly, cover with a lid, and bake for 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Once done, remove the dish from the oven, switch to the broiler setting, and broil uncovered for 10 minutes or until the tops of the rolls acquire a golden hue. Serve atop a dollop of Greek yogurt, drizzled with sauce, and garnished with chopped parsley.
Serves 4
Created in partnership with CBC Creator Network.