Cabbage Rolls

Delight your senses with the comforting aroma and savory flavors of classic Cabbage Rolls. This timeless dish combines tender cabbage leaves stuffed with a delectable blend of ground pork, beef, and aromatic jasmine rice. Enhanced with a tantalizing Sweet and Sour Tomato Sauce, each bite promises a harmonious balance of tangy sweetness and savory richness. Whether you’re craving a hearty family meal or looking to impress guests with a traditional favorite, these Cabbage Rolls are sure to satisfy.

Begin your culinary journey by carefully preparing the cabbage, blanching it to perfection to achieve pliable leaves ideal for rolling. As you assemble the rolls, relish in the art of layering the flavorful meat filling within each tender cabbage leaf, ensuring a symphony of textures and tastes in every bite. With every roll crafted with care and attention to detail, the anticipation builds for the moment they emerge from the oven, their enticing aroma filling the kitchen with warmth and comfort.

As the Cabbage Rolls bake to golden perfection, the Sweet and Sour Tomato Sauce bubbles and thickens, infusing the dish with its irresistible essence. Finally, as you unveil the finished masterpiece, adorned with a glossy glaze of sauce, prepare to indulge in a culinary experience that transcends time and place. Whether enjoyed as a main course centerpiece or as a nostalgic reminder of cherished family gatherings, these Cabbage Rolls offer a taste of tradition and a testament to the enduring appeal of homemade comfort food.

Ingredients:

Cabbage Rolls:

• 2 to 3 pounds green cabbage

Sweet and Sour Tomato Sauce:

• 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 cup water

Meat Filling:

• 1 pound ground pork
• 1 pound ground beef
• ½ cup jasmine rice, rinsed
• ⅓ cup parsley, chopped
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 large cloves garlic, minced
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Cabbage:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
• Cut out the core of the cabbage.
• Carefully place the whole cabbage into the boiling water.
• Allow it to cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until the outer leaves are tender and pliable.
• Remove the cabbage from the water and let it cool.
• Carefully peel off the individual leaves, keeping them as intact as possible. Set aside.

1. Make the Sweet and Sour Tomato Sauce:

• In a saucepan, combine crushed tomatoes, ground cinnamon, brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, and water.
• Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat.
• Let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly. Set aside.

1. Prepare the Meat Filling:

• In a large mixing bowl, combine ground pork, ground beef, rinsed jasmine rice, chopped parsley, diced onion, minced garlic, egg, black pepper, and kosher salt.
• Mix until all ingredients are well incorporated.

1. Assemble the Cabbage Rolls:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Take one cabbage leaf and place a portion of the meat filling at the base of the leaf.
• Roll the cabbage leaf over the filling, tucking in the sides as you go, to form a tight roll.
• Place the cabbage roll seam side down in a large baking dish.
• Repeat with the remaining cabbage leaves and filling.

1. Bake:

• Once all the cabbage rolls are assembled in the baking dish, pour the sweet and sour tomato sauce evenly over the top.
• Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 1 to 1 ½ hours, or until the cabbage is tender and the filling is cooked through.

1. Serve:

• Remove the foil from the baking dish and let the cabbage rolls cool slightly before serving.
• Serve the cabbage rolls with additional sauce spooned over the top, if desired.
• Enjoy your delicious homemade cabbage rolls!