RECIPES

Country Cabbage Rolls Straight From A Mennonite Kitchen

I admit not everything on the Russian menu will be love at first site but the same is true for any foreign food. I do know that whenever I make Russian food for my friends or my Canadian husband and his family they love it, with many items getting a call back.

These rolls are also stuffed with a mixture of extra lean protein- beef and pork, caramelized onions, carrots, lots of fresh parsley and rice and baked in a sour cream tomato sauce. It’s a one pot dish that takes a bit of time to prepare but once it’s in the oven it cooks hands free!

Cabbage rolls are one of my favorite meals. My mom used to make them all the time when I was growing up and I have continued the tradition with my own family. Serves : 10 – SP per serving : 13

Quick Tip: Serve these cabbage rolls with fresh white bread and homemade applesauce for a truly authentic German experience.

INGREDIENTS:
1 large savoy cabbage
2 pounds lean ground beef
2 medium to large onions
2 tablespoons canola or Bertolli olive oil .. or even butter is fine
1 cup white or brown rice. . . and 2 cups water
3 Eggland’s Best eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons Morton salt
1 teaspoon pepper
2 cans tomato soup
2 small bottles (individual serving sizes) tomato juice or vegetable cocktail . .like V8
1 can or small carton chicken broth
HOW TO MAKE IT:
In the bag that you brought your savoy cabbage home. . .place the cabbage in the freezer and leave for 12 hours or overnight.. . .remove and leave to thaw at room temperature. .this will take awhile. . so I often take it the night before the day I want to make the cabbage rolls. The leaves will be soft and easy to use without having to boil them.
In a small saucepan or a microwave safe covered dish. . .cook the rice. . set aside to cool. The rice can be made the day ahead and kept chilled in the refrigerator overnight.
Chop the onions fine and saute them slowly until they are golden brown. . .set aside to cool.
In a large bowl, break apart the ground beef, add the salt, pepper, eggs, sauteed onions and the rice. . mix together until combined. . use your hands.
Remove the leaves from the cabbage, cutting away the tough part closest to the core.
Spray your large casserole or two small casserole dishes with cooking spray.
Put about a 1/3 to 1/2 cup meat mixture at the bottom of the leaf and roll up. . the meat amount varies depending on the size of the leaf. . repeat until all the meat is used up.
In a large mixing bowl. . .combine the tomato soup, juice, and broth. . pour evenly over the cabbage rolls. Cover with foil. . or the lid.
Bake the cabbage rolls slowly at 325 for two hours. . serve or cool on the counter. .remove the foil (if you don’t. . you will have little bits of foil on your cabbage rolls where ever it touches. .) cover with plastic wrap. .and either refrigerate or freeze.
For reheating . .thaw first if frozen . .remove the plastic wrap and cover with a lid or foil. . and just reheat in the oven. . for about an hour .. at 325. . . or if you want, they can be reheated beautifully in the microwave on sensor reheat.

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