How to Make the Romanian Stuffed Cabbage

This is a traditional Romanian recipe - seasoned ground beef wrapped in cabbage leaf.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 large head of cabbage
• 2 onions, chopped
• 2 tablespoons white rice
• 1-1/2lbs. ground beef
• 1-1/2 tablespoons chopped parsley
• 8 large tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

1. Cut out the hard spines with a knife after you break off the cabbage leaves. Boil a large pot of salted water over high heat. When the water begins to bubble, add in the cabbage. Turn heat down to "simmer". Remove when the leaves begin to soften, about 20 seconds.
   
   Place the cabbage leaves on paper towels to dry and allow to cool.

2. Pour some cooking oil in a frying pan over medium heat, and brown the chopped onions and rice. Add half-a-cup of hot water. Cover; allow the rice to cook.
   
   Let the rice cool after cooking.

3. In a large bowl mix together the rice, beef, parsley, salt and pepper.

4. Lay out cabbage leaves on a cutting board or wooden board. Crossing over the leaf part that was cut out and place a tablespoonful of beef mixture. Fold in the sides and roll the leaf over the mixture.
   
   Repeat with the remaining leaves and meat mixture.

5. Slice the tomatoes and place 1/3 of the the slices in the bottom of a large casserole dish. Then lay the 1/2 of the stuffed cabbage on top. Cover with another layer of the 1/3 tomato slices, and the rest of the stuffed cabbage on top the second layer of tomatoes. Then another layer of sliced tomatoes.

6. Add the tomato paste in 4 cups water, mix well.

7. Pour some diluted tomato paste, the lemon juice and chopped garlic over the contents in the casserole dish. Cover. Bake the dish at 350 degrees F for 50-55 minutes.

8. 
    
   Premium ground beef

   Add more tomato paste to the casserole if the liquid level becomes low while broiling.

9. 
    
   Cabbage

   Serve hot with sour cream, mayonnaise or ketchup.

[aquaeyedgirl]

on 4/18/2009 I've made these and they are absolutely delicious and nutritious! 5 star