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German Cabbage Rolls

German Cabbage Rolls Recipe

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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 452
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 large head green cabbage
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1/2 cup cooked white rice
  • 1 small yellow onion
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 1/2 cups beef broth
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp sweet paprika
  • 1/2 tsp caraway seeds, lightly crushed (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper
  • Chopped fresh parsley

Method
 

  1. Core the cabbage and blanch it in boiling salted water for 3 minutes. Peel off 8 to 10 large leaves, cool them, and trim the thick center rib.
  2. Cook the grated onion in 1 tbsp butter until soft, then mix it with the beef, rice, egg, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, and paprika.
  3. Spoon 1/3 cup of filling onto each leaf, fold the sides in, and roll tightly. Place seam side down.
  4. Heat the oil and remaining butter in a deep skillet, sear the rolls on both sides until golden, then add the broth, tomato paste, sliced onion, and caraway. Simmer covered for 45 minutes.
  5. Let the rolls rest 5 minutes, then plate them, spoon the sauce over, and top with parsley.

Notes

If your cabbage leaves are stubborn, microwaving the whole head for 2 minutes before blanching helps them release. The sauce will look thin at first but thickens as it simmers with the lid on.