Best Stuffed Cabbage Leaves Recipes

SARMA - BOSNIAN STUFFED CABBAGE LEAVES

Steps:

• Separate the cabbage leaves, being careful not to tear them.
• Mix meat, rice, onion, salt, pepper, and paprika.
• Place about a tablespoon or more (use your own judgment based on the size of the leaves) of the meat mixture into each cabbage leaf, near its base.
• Begin rolling the leaf from the base into a thick cylinder, tucking in the sides after the first "roll."
• Layer the cylinders tightly into a medium-sized or large pot.
• Cover the sarma with beef stock or water (I find that if you use water, it makes its own broth anyways with the meat as it cooks).
• Cover the pot, bring to a boil, and simmer for at least three hours.
• Serve with butter and sour cream, with or without some of the cooking liquids according to your preference.
• *Boiled potatoes are often eaten with sarma, and they go quite well together.

SARMALE (STUFFED CABBAGE OR VINE LEAVES)

Steps:

• Place rice in a medium bowl, and pour boiling water over it. Let soak for 15 minutes, then drain.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the carrots, parsley roots, onions and tomato paste. Cook and stir until the vegetables are tender. Transfer the vegetables to the bowl with the rice.
• Heat 2 more tablespoons of oil in the same skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pork, and cook for about 2 minutes, just until browned on the outside. Transfer to the bowl with the rice and vegetables; season with dill and black pepper. Stir until everything is well blended. Set the mixture aside to cool.
• Carefully remove the leaves from the head of cabbage, and place them in a large pot with about 2 inches of water. Bring to a boil, and cook for 5 to 10 minutes, until tender and flexible.
• Remove the cabbage leaves from the pot, but leave enough in the bottom to cover. On each of the remaining leaves, place about 2 tablespoons of the pork and rice mixture in the center, and wrap the leaf around to cover. Place the stuffed cabbage leaves into the pot.
• When the pot is full, place a few boiled cabbage leaves over the top. Pour boiling water into the pot to cover the cabbage rolls, and place over medium-low heat. Cover, and simmer for about 30 minutes, until the rice is tender.

SARMA, STUFFED CABBAGE LEAVES FROM DALMATIA

Steps:

• Remove any wilted or bruised leaves from the cabbage and cut out the center core.
• Pour boiling water over the cabbages to soften.
• Meanwhile, in the oil, sauté the bacon and onion until the bacon is cooked.
• Add minced garlic.
• Beat the egg and add the salt, pepper, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, ground beef, pork or ham and half the tomatoes.
• Add the bacon mixture and rice and combine thoroughly.
• Separate the cabbage leaves and drain.
• Place a heaping tablespoon of stuffing at the core end of each cabbage leaf and roll up carefully, tucking in the ends.
• Layer the rolls in a Dutch oven or heavy kettle.
• Chop up the small unused leaves and place on top.
• Pour the remaining tomatoes and juice over top and add enough water to cover the rolls.
• Cover and simmer for 2 to 2-1/2 hours.

STUFFED CABBAGE LEAVES

Steps:

• Bring a large saucepan of water with salt to the boil.
• Meanwhile remove outer leaves and hard stalk from the cabbage. Wash it and put into the boiling water for 10 minutes.
• Mix the mince with the rice, salt & pepper and knead together well.
• Take each cabbage leaf separately and put on each one a tablespoonful of the mince mixture. Fold the two ends of the leaf inwards and roll it up into a narrow sausage shape. Place some spare cabbage leaves on the bottom of the pan then put the stuffed leaves in concentric circles.
• Place a heavy plate on top of them to prevent them from breaking up during cooking.
• Pour water to cover them and boil for 60-80 minutes.
• When they are cooked put them on a flat dish and prepare the sauce. Put the rest of the butter to melt, add the flour and stir.
• Add some stock from the cooked leaves, stirring all the time and beat in the eggs with the lemon juice. Take the sauce off the heat. Serve the cabbage rolls with the sauce poured over them.

STUFFED CABBAGE LEAVES (KAALDOLMER)

Steps:

• Cut the core from a large cabbage and cook in salted water for 15 minutes. Drain, cool slightly, and remove 24 large outer leaves.
• Simmer 2 tbsp rice in 2 cups milk for 40 minutes. Cool.
• Mix 1/2 lb ground pork, 1/2 lb ground veal or sirloin, and 1 tsp salt. Gradually beat in 5 eggwhites, one at a time, beating vigorously after each addition. Slowly add the rice mixture to make a smooth creamy filling. Stir in 1/4 tsp ground white pepper and 1 medium onion, minced.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
• Cut the heavy thick part of the stalks from the cabbage leaves. Take one leaf at a time and overlap slightly to close up the opening left by removing the stalk. Put a tablespoon of the meat filling on each leaf. Roll leaf over once, turn sides over filling, then roll to the end of leaf, completely enclosing the filling.
• Arrange the rolls in a buttered baking pan (9x12 1/2 inches). Add 1 10 1/2 oz can of beef consomme and spread each roll with 1/2 tsp molasses. Bake in the moderately hot oven for 30 minutes. Turn each roll and bake for 30 minutes longer.
• Arrange the cabbage rolls side by side in a warm serving casserole.
• For the sauce:.
• Stir into liquid remaining in pan: 1/2 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water. Cook over direct heat, stirring, for 2 minutes. Pour the sauce over the cabbage rolls.

DOLMEH KALAM (STUFFED CABBAGE LEAVES WITH SWEET-SOUR SAUCE)

Steps:

• Separate the leaves carefully from the head of the cabbage.
• blanch in boiling water for about 5 minutes until limp.
• Do not overcook.
• Drain in a colander.
• Cut out the thick secion[ribs], only removing the lower portion.
• Combine the mince with onion, rice, herbs and turmeric.
• Add 1 1/2 tsp salt and pepper to taste.
• Divide mixture into 18 portions.
• spread a cabbage leaf flat on the work surface and place one filling portion on the base of the leaf.
• Roll once, fold in the sides and roll up into a firm package.
• Repeat with remaining ingredients.
• Line a heavy pan with cabbage trimmings or a well washed outer leaf.
• Pack rolls in close together in layers.
• Add 1 cup cold water and invert a heavy plate over the rolls.
• cover, bring to a simmer and cook gently for 45 minutes.
• Blend sugar and vinegar and add to pan.
• tilt pan to blend liquids.
• Cover and cook for a further 30 minutes.
• Serve with chelou or flat bread.

STUFFED CABBAGE LEAVES WITH PAPRIKA TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• First, make the filling for the Stuffed Cabbage Leaves: Put the bread cubes in a small mixing bowl, add the milk, and leave the bread to soak until it is completely saturated. With your hands, squeeze out the excess milk. Discard the milk and add the soaked bread to a large mixing bowl with the meat, parsley, sage, garlic, sugar, salt, and pepper. Mix well, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate.
• Bring a pot of water to a boil and prepare a large bowl full of ice water. Add the cabbage leaves to the pot and blanch them in the boiling water just until they are slightly wilted, about 1 minute; drain them and immediately transfer the leaves to the ice water. When the leaves are cold, remove them from the water and pat them dry.
• With a small, sharp knife, cut the thick part of the stem from each cabbage leaf. Place a heaping 1/2 cup of the filling in the center of each cabbage leaf. Fold the sides of the leaf over the filling, overlapping them slightly, and then, starting at the stem end, roll up the leaf into a compact bundle. Set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Meanwhile, make the sauce: Heat a large heatproof saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil, onion, and garlic and saute until the vegetables are translucent. Add the tomato paste and paprika and saute briefly. Then, stir in the chicken stock, tomato sauce, balsamic vinegar, sugar, and sage. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
• Arrange the stuffed cabbage leaves neatly in a single layer in the saucepan. Bring the sauce back to a boil. Transfer the pan to the preheated oven and bake until the bundles are cooked through and firm to the touch, 25 to 30 minutes.
• To serve, use a large spoon to transfer the rolls to a platter or individual heated plates. Spoon the sauce over and around them.

STUFFED RED CABBAGE LEAVES (ROTKOHLROULADEN)

Steps:

• Clean cabbage, removing the main stem; Plunge cabbage in a large saucepan of boiling salted water.
• After 4 or 5 minutes, carefully remove outer leaves; Repeat 2 or 3 times or until all leaves have been removed.
• Melt margarine in a small skillet; add half the onion; saute until transparent.
• In a medium bowl, combine breadcrumbs, ground meats, sauteed onion, egg, salt and pepper.
• Divide stuffing into 8 portions.
• Taking 2 cabbage leaves at a time, roll or pound gently to soften ribs; Place leaves one inside the other.
• Spread one portion of stuffing over surface, stopping well short of edges.
• Roll leaves up neatly into a little package; Repeat with remaining leaves and stuffing.
• Heat fat or shortening in a large skillet; Add cabbage rolls; saute gently.
• Add remaining onion and mushrooms, if desired.
• Dissolve flour in stock; add to skillet.
• Cover and cook gently over low heat 40 minutes, stirring occasionally; Season with salt and pepper; Add half and half; stir to blend.
• Place on a warm serving dish; spoon sauce over cabbage rolls.
• Serve with creamed potatoes and a salad.

EGYPTIAN STYLE STUFFED CABBAGE LEAVES (MASHY CRUMP)

Steps:

• Rice stuffing mixture:.
• On top of stove, put a good amount oil or butter; add chopped onion and pureed onion sauté. Add garlic when onions almost finished not to burn.
• Add a spoon of tomato paste and stir around until all coated.
• Add pureed tomato, a few drops of water and cook until liquid is almost gone. It should be a little thick, not too watery. You can add some salt to taste to this too.
• Set aside.
• Put washed rice in mixing bowl. Add the above tomato mixture. Add raw, chopped greens- parsley, dill and cilantro. Its okay to chop some of their stems, gives the mixture more flavor. Add a little canola oil.
• Add all spices and dry mint. Take 1 chicken bouillon cube and crush it, add to rice.
• Mix all ingredients until well blended set aside. Try to taste, will be raw I know, but you can taste and not swallow rice. Adjust seasonings. Salt is most important, if too salty, don't worry, once cooked it will lessen.
• Cooking Cabbage:.
• This is the trickiest part. I have not yet found the perfect way, but my way has been working alright...here it goes.
• Wash the head of cabbage well. With a paring knife, gently cut around core, loosening it a bit. Try to cup deep, but try not to cut leaves, or separate at this point.
• Using a large pot, fill with water, and a few dashes of cumin. Once boiling, add the head of cabbage, with core facing up.
• As the cabbage starts to cook, with a knife, gently pull away leaves from core and cook until a bit soft, but not translucent.
• So you will have the large head of cabbage in pot and you will be cutting leaves and letting them boil alone aside the head. (Hope this makes sense.).
• When the leaves are a bit soft, tender not translucent, remove to a large tray.
• Continue this until all cabbage is cooked.
• You will have the very small leaves towards inside core, you will be able to use some of these, but some maybe too small. I usually make a cabbage salad with these.
• Once the leaves are cool, you will begin to stuff.
• Rolling/stuffing the cabbage:.
• Prepare a large pot, put some oil in bottom of pot to coat.
• Slice 1 large tomato thinly and place on bottom of pot. You will arrange cabbage in this pot as you roll.
• Take a cabbage leaf and cut from the bottom, where core starts.
• Cut away the hard core and reserve the two sides from leaf making a pile.
• Save a few of the cores stems as well.
• Tricky but you are trying to get a pliable leaf for rolling.
• You want to make the leaf small, cutting a half of the leaf in half. The end result should be size of small cigar.
• Don't worry about how they look, they will not be real tight and they may seem like the rice will come out, just close as best you can, they will be fine.
• So with leaf laying flat, spoon a small amount of rice onto leaf, fold up bottom and roll like a cigar. Don't worry the ends will be open, but cook ok. Some rice may boil out but not much trust me.
• Roll all until leaves are finished.
• Once all rolled and arranged in pot, add a crushed chicken bouillon cube. As you are arranging in pot, you can put a few of the core stems in between layers to help stay in place.
• Take approximately 3 cups water and mix with tomato paste, pour over cabbage. Water should reach just above cabbage. If not enough, add more water.
• Take an old plate, invert it over cabbage to keep from moving too much.
• Put on high, bring to a boil, cook for about 10 minutes, then turn to a lower simmer and cover.
• Should cook for approximately an hour or so, you can check it periodically by tasting to see if rice is cooked inside.
• Once cooked let sit for a little to cool a bit before removing from pot.
• When ready to remove, take a large serving platter, put over top of pot, then flip pot to empty onto platter. Be careful and do over sink if you are unsure. Its easy but take s a little practice.
• Remove core stems, fix tomatoes that are on top, to look presentable.
• *** LEFTOVER TIP: THE NEXT DAY PREPARE THE LEFTOVERS THIS WAY -- PUT SOME BUTTER INTO A PAN, FRY THE STUFFED CABBAGE LEAVES UNTIL GOLDEN BROWN ON ALL SIDES. SUPER TASTY, ENJOY! ***.

STUFFED CABBAGE LEAVES

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and blanch the cabbage leaves, a few at a time, for 2 to 3 minutes, until they are flexible. Transfer from the pot to a bowl of cold water, then drain and set aside. Cut out the thickest part of the base of the center rib by notching a 1- to 1 1/2-inch V at the base. This will make the leaves easier to roll up.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium-low heat in a large nonstick skillet and add the onion and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring, until it is tender but not browned, 5 to 8 minutes. Add the pine nuts and garlic, stir together and add the drained rinsed rice. Stir for a minute or two, until you hear the rice begin to crackle, then remove from the heat. Toss with the herbs, salt and pepper and 1 tablespoon olive oil. To gauge how much salt you will need, use the amount that you would use when cooking 1 1/4 cups of rice.
• Lightly oil a heavy flame-proof or lidded skillet. Place a leaf on your work surface in front of you, with the wide ribbed bottom closest to you. Place 2 rounded tablespoons of the rice mixture on top of the leaf. Roll the leaf over once, and tuck in the sides. Continue to roll the leaf into a tight package. Place in the pan. Fill and roll the remaining leaves and pack them into the pan. You will probably need to stack two layers of the filled leaves.
• Whisk together the lemon juice, remaining oil and tomato paste with 2 tablespoons water. Season to taste with salt. Pour over the cabbage rolls. Add enough water to barely cover the rolls and top with a layer of lemon slices. Invert a plate and place it on top of the rolls to keep them wrapped and in position. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, cover the pan, turn the heat to low and simmer for 45 minutes to an hour, at which point the cabbage leaves will be tender and the rice cooked. Remove from the heat and carefully remove the stuffed leaves from the water to a platter or to plates with a slotted spoon or tongs. Taste the liquid left in the pot and adjust the seasoning. Serve the rolls warm with the liquid from the pot as a sauce.

KRAUTWICKEL: GERMAN STUFFED CABBAGE LEAVES

Steps:

• Wash cabbage and cut out center stem.
• Put about 2 inches of water in a cooking pot and some salt.
• Put cabbage head upright in water, cover and steam.
• As the outer leaves become tender, remove cabbage from pot and peel off the tender leaves.
• Set leaves aside to drain.
• Return cabbage to pot and repeat until all the leaves are removed.
• Make six piles of two to three of the large outside cabbage leaves.
• Finely dice the remaining smaller cabbage leaves from the heart.
• This should give about two cups.
• Finely dice the onion.
• Add the diced cabage leaves, onion, parsley, marjoram, caraway, salt, some pepper and the eggs to the ground meat and mix well.
• Divide the meat mixture into six equal portions.
• Form each of the portions in the shape of a small meat loaf and wrap in the large cabbage leaves.
• Make sure that the meat is completely wrapped with two or three layers of cabbage leaves.
• Tie well with thread.
• Note: (Thin out the thick vein from the cabbage this way it will be easier to roll the leaves.) Melt lard in frying pan and brown, but do not burn, the Krautwickel on all sides.
• Pour fat from frying pan into a roasting pan, add Krautwickel and boiling soup stock.
• Cover.
• Place pan across two burners of the stove and simmer slowly for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
• This can also be done in the oven, however if cooked in the oven the krautwickel must be basted from time to time.
• Sprinkle lightly with pepper immediately before serving.
• Miller's German Cookbook.

STUFFED CABBAGE LEAVES

Steps:

• Boil the cabbage whole in a large pot of water for three to five minutes, or until the leaves turn bright green. Remove from water.
• When the cabbage has cooled, separate the leaves carefully. Place each leaf flat on a table and divide the scallops, shrimp and crab claws among them. Brush with melted butter and vermouth. Sprinkle with fresh herbs, and salt and pepper.
• Fold the leaves and tie with string or long scallion ends.
• Place on hot grill and cook for five to seven minutes on each side. Serve immediately.

STUFFED CABBAGE LEAVES

Steps:

• 1. Pour 2-1/2 cups of chicken broth in a pot bring to a boil and add 1 cup brown rice and cook on medium for 45 minutes till liquid is absorbed. In a seperate skillet brown your ground sirloin (or ground turkey) as you are smashing it to smaller pieces and browning add your diced onion, diced garlic, Montreal Steak Seasonings. Brown then add 2 fresh diced Basil & 3 diced Oregano, add the totally cooked rice & 1/2 of the can of tomato sauce into skillet stir together.
• 2. In another pot bring water to a boil and place your cabbage leaves in one at a time for about 2-3 minutes till they are slightly soft/pliable drain water off and set on your cutting board, one by one doing this with all your cabbage leaves.
• 3. Now empty your pot of water rinse it out and pour in the other half of the can of tomato sauce and the can of cooked peeled roma tomatoes I smush the tomatoes between my fingers till they are in pieces (wash your hands first) rinse your cans with about a 1/4 of a can of water in each to get all the sauce out. Rinse your hands and add 12 fresh washed small to medium leaves of oregano and another diced basil leaf a tsp of dried Parsley and a tsp of garlic powder, 1/8 tsp ground pepper, 1/8 tsp salt, 1/8 tsp hungarian paparika to the pot of simmering tomatoes & sauce.
• 4. Next pick up one cabbage leaf and put a good sized scoop of the meat and rice mix in the middle of the leaf.Then take one side of the leave and fold it over on both sides then close each end and stick a toothpick through.It might take 2 or 3 toothpicks,place the toothpick through by sides to keep it from opening in the pot.Use 1-3 toothpicks so it doesn't pop open in your sauce as it simmers. When its nice and tight put in your simmering sauce gently don't burn your fingers.
• 5. Your pot should now have all the stuffed cabbage leaves in.Bring sauce to a simmer & Turn burner on low (if electric low or corning stove to 3) and cook covered 45 minutes to make sure all the flavors disperse and mingle with each other.
• 6. When I serve it I add a little of the tomatoes drizzle some sauce over it.Take the toothpicks out before you eat! You can add a salad or a vegetable if you like. Enjoy!

PERSIAN STUFFED CABBAGE LEAVES

Steps:

• In a large pot, bring 6-8 cups of water to a boil over high heat, add a tablespoon of salt, gently add the head of cabbage into the boiling water, cook for 10 minutes. Drain. Peel each cabbage leaf, cut out the hard rib in each leaf. Set aside.
• In a large skillet, heat a couple of tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat, add the chopped onion, saute until light golden brown, add the minced garlic and the turmeric powder. Stir and saute for a few more minutes.
• Add the ground beef, salt and pepper to taste and brown until well done. Set aside.
• In a medium size pot combine the rice and the yellow split peas, add enough water to cover the rice by an inch over the rice line. Add a teaspoon of salt, a tablespoon of oil, bring to a boil over medium-high heat, reduce the heat , cover with the top a little ajar to let the steam out, cook until the water is fully absorbed. Set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the meat mixture, rice and peas, chopped herbs, cumin and saffron. Mix well.
• In a large pan, sauté the sliced onion in 3 tablespoons of olive oil until translucent, add a tablespoon of tomato paste, sauté for a couple of minutes until it's no longer raw, add salt and pepper to taste. Add three cups of water and bring to a gentle simmer.
• In the meantime, place a scoop of the mixture into the center of each cabbage leaf, fold in the bottom, sides and the top of the leaf to complete the wrap.
• Arrange the stuffed cabbage with the seam down, next to one another in the pot. Cover and cook on medium-low heat for an hour. In the last 10 minutes of cooking sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice or vinegar and just a sprinkle of sugar. Taste and adjust the seasoning.