Simple cabbage rolls recipe
Description
The dish is prepared without unnecessary complications. Making cabbage rolls does require a bit of effort, but it's worth it. It's very convenient to prepare a double portion and freeze half of the rolls. Ready semi-finished products will only need to be fried and simmered in sauce, and a homemade nutritious dinner will be ready with minimal hassle. Everything in this dish combines perfectly: flavorful rice stuffing, tender cabbage leaves, and creamy tomato sauce. This dish will leave no one indifferent—I highly recommend trying it. The finished dish can now be served.
Instructions
- 1
Step 1
Prepare all the ingredients from the list. Grind the meat for the cabbage rolls through a meat grinder. To save time, you can buy ready-made minced meat, but homemade will, of course, taste better.
- 2
Step 2
Cook the rice so that it remains slightly undercooked. Then rinse and drain through a sieve.
- 3
Step 3
Wash the cabbage and remove the core. Cabbage leaves can be prepared in two ways. Method one: boil the cabbage in salted water until the outer leaves can be easily removed from the head. Remove the leaves and continue boiling the cabbage so that the subsequent leaves can also be easily taken off. Thus, disassemble the cabbage into individual leaves.
- 4
Step 4
Second method, which I use to prepare the leaves. Place the cabbage head into the microwave. Cooking time depends on the microwave power and the size of the cabbage. For a 1.5 kg head, 15 minutes at 800 W is sufficient. To make the cabbage cook faster and more evenly, I put the head into a plastic bag or wrap it with plastic wrap. Remove the cooked cabbage and place it under a stream of cold water; the head should feel soft to the touch. Then carefully separate the leaves from each other.
- 5
Step 5
The cabbage leaves should not fall apart, whether using the first or second method. They should hold their shape well but become slightly softer. Once the cabbage leaves have cooled down, trim off their thickened central part.
- 6
Step 6
On a preheated pan with oil, sauté the onion cut into cubes and grated carrots. Cook the vegetables until soft.
- 7
Step 7
Place the minced meat into a deep bowl.
- 8
Step 8
Add rice and sautéed vegetables to the minced meat.
- 9
Step 9
Season the filling to taste and add your favorite spices.
- 10
Step 10
Mix thoroughly.
- 11
Step 11
Place 1 tablespoon of heaping filling onto the prepared cabbage leaf.
- 12
Step 12
Roll into a roll, tucking the side edges of the cabbage leaf inward.
- 13
Step 13
These are the cabbage rolls you should end up with. You can freeze some of them; I will cook all of them right away. Sear the cabbage rolls carefully on a preheated oiled skillet until golden brown.
- 14
Step 14
In a deep bowl or saucepan, mix sour cream, tomato paste, and flour. Add sugar and salt to taste. You can add your favorite spices. Then gradually, in a thin stream, pour in cold water. Stir until all lumps disappear.
- 15
Step 15
Place the cabbage rolls tightly next to each other in a large heavy-bottomed pot. Position the cabbage rolls seam side down.
- 16
Step 16
Pour the prepared mixture over the cabbage rolls and simmer over medium heat until done, about 40-45 minutes.
- 17
Step 17
The stuffed cabbage rolls are ready.
- 18
Step 18
Cabbage rolls can be served on their own with the sauce they were simmered in, or with any side dish. Mashed potatoes are an ideal accompaniment.
- 19
Step 19
Done.