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HOW TO MAKE OLD FASHIONED STUFFED CABBAGE ROLLS?
Preparing the cabbage leaves for rolling is the most challenging aspect of creating homemade cabbage rolls, but it is not a difficult task. Our Test Kitchen has provided some helpful tips to simplify the process.
Step 1. Make tomato sauce: The flavor of this dish resides in its tomato sauce, though the pork, beef, and rice also contribute to its savory taste. For an enhanced flavor, cook the onion, bell pepper, and celery in a Dutch oven by sautéing until they become tender. This will help build up a robust flavor profile.
Next, include garlic, stock, tomato paste, tomatoes, and a portion of the Creole seasoning. Next, adjust the boiling point of the mixture, then reduce the heat until the mixture is cooked and thickened.
Step 2. Boil cabbage: After removing the core of the cabbage (to allow water to penetrate deep into the cabbage leaves), carefully place the cabbage in a stockpot filled with water. Bring the water to a boil and let the cabbage leaves simmer for approximately 5 minutes until they become tender.
Remove the cabbage head from the water and carefully detach 10 large leaves, while keeping a few extra ones on hand in case of any tearing or damage. Using a knife, remove the ribs or tough inner stalk from the leaves. In case the remaining leaves start to become stiff, you can put the cabbage head back into the boiling water for a little while longer.
Step 3. Make cabbage rolls filling: Here’s a helpful tip to avoid confusion with this step: Remember that the meat is raw, while the rice is already cooked. Take a bowl and mix the cooked rice with the raw sausage, beef, and egg. Afterward, add 1/2 cup of tomato sauce and additional Creole seasoning according to taste. Keep in mind that you can adjust the amount of seasoning if the spice level is too intense for your liking.
Step 4. Fold and roll: This is a wonderful chance to have some assistance with dinner preparation, including from the kids. Scoop roughly 1/4 cup of the meat mixture and put it in the center of every cabbage leaf. Mold the filling into a log or thick cigar shape, then wrap and fold the cabbage leaf around it, similar to how you would assemble a burrito. Repeat this process nine more times until you have made a total of 10 cabbage rolls.
Step 5. Bake: Once you have finished rolling all 10 cabbage rolls, place them into a baking dish measuring 13 x 9 inches, and pour the remaining tomato sauce over them. Cover the dish using aluminum foil and bake it in a preheated oven at 375°F for around 1 hour and 30 minutes. The cabbage and filling will be exceptionally tender and can be easily cut with a spoon. And when you want to serve, before that, let the dish cool down for a short time.
MY BEST TIPS
Rolling old fashioned stuffed cabbage rolls may present some difficulty initially, but with practice of one or two rolls, you will get the hang of it. Here are some suggestions from the Test Kitchen:
It is important to cut the V shape on the core side of the leaf as it provides a smoother and more even surface to work on.
Use your fingers to form the filling into small logs and place them in the center of the leaf, just above the V-shaped cut. Next, fold the open parts of the V-cut over the filling and tuck in the two sides over the filling.
Next, employ your fingers to delicately press the filling from the top, securing it tightly inside the roll. Proceed to roll the entire object over and under to create a sealed roll, with the seam positioned at the bottom.
