Description
Polish comfort meets culinary artistry in these hearty Gołąbki cabbage rolls. Tender cabbage leaves embrace a savory blend of ground meat, rice, and aromatic spices, offering you a satisfying journey through traditional Eastern European cuisine.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
Cabbage and Wrapper:
- 12 large cabbage leaves
Flavor and Binding Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) cooked rice
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 egg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Liquid and Sauce:
- 2 cups (473 milliliters) tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) beef broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Carefully separate whole cabbage leaves, ensuring they remain intact and free from tears.
- Immerse leaves in rapidly boiling water for 2-3 minutes until they become pliable and slightly translucent.
- Quickly transfer leaves to cold water to halt cooking process and prevent overcooking.
- Create a hearty filling by thoroughly blending ground beef, fluffy cooked rice, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, beaten egg, and seasoning.
- Spread each softened cabbage leaf flat and place a generous portion of meat mixture near the leaf’s base.
- Gently fold leaf’s sides inward, then roll tightly from bottom to top, creating a neat, compact parcel.
- Warm olive oil in a skillet and delicately brown stuffed rolls on all sides, developing a rich golden exterior.
- Transfer browned rolls into a deep baking dish, positioning them seam-side down to prevent unraveling.
- Generously drench rolls with tangy tomato sauce and savory beef broth, ensuring complete coverage.
- Shield dish with aluminum foil and roast in preheated oven for approximately 45-50 minutes.
- Verify internal temperature and doneness by checking that meat is fully cooked through.
- Remove from oven and let rest briefly before serving with additional warm sauce drizzled on top.
Notes
- Master the leaf technique by carefully separating cabbage leaves without tearing to ensure perfect, intact rolls.
- Switch protein options by replacing ground beef with ground turkey, lamb, or plant-based alternatives for diverse dietary needs.
- Control moisture levels by draining excess liquid from ingredients like rice and beef to prevent soggy cabbage rolls.
- Enhance flavor complexity by adding fresh herbs like dill or parsley to the meat mixture for an extra aromatic dimension.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Eastern European
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg