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Sarmale - Romanian Cabbage Rolls Recipe

Sarmale – Romanian Cabbage Rolls Recipe

Welcome to the Romanian Cabbage Rolls Recipe. Romanian Cabbage Rolls are a cozy meal prepared with cabbage leaves stuffed with a tasty combination of ground meat, rice, and spices, then simmered in tomato sauce.
Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 40 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Romanian
Calories: 360

Ingredients
  

  • 1 large green cabbage head
  • 1 pound ground pork
  • ½ pound ground beef
  • 1 cup cooked rice
  • 1 medium onion finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill chopped
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cups crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 cups water or broth

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Mixing bowl
  • Sharp knife
  • Saucepan
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Oven-safe Dutch oven or deep baking dish
  • Spoon or spatula

Method
 

Step 1: Prepare the Cabbage Leaves
  1. Boil the whole cabbage head in a large pot until the leaves become soft and pliable. Carefully separate the leaves and trim the thick stems from each one.
    Sarmale - Romanian Cabbage Rolls Recipe
Step 2: Make the Filling
  1. In a bowl, mix ground pork, ground beef, cooked rice, onion, garlic, egg, dill, paprika, salt, and pepper until well combined.
    Sarmale - Romanian Cabbage Rolls Recipe
Step 3: Fill and Roll
  1. Spoon roughly 2 tablespoons of filling onto each cabbage leaf. Fold the sides over and roll tightly, like a burrito.
    Sarmale - Romanian Cabbage Rolls Recipe
Step 4: Make the Sauce
  1. In a saucepan, heat vegetable oil. Add crushed tomatoes and tomato paste. Stir and cook for a few minutes, then add water or broth and simmer for 5 minutes.
    Sarmale - Romanian Cabbage Rolls Recipe
Step 5: Layer and Cook
  1. In a Dutch oven or baking dish, layer some chopped cabbage remnants on the bottom. Layer the rolls tightly, then pour the tomato sauce over them. Cover and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 2 hours.
    Sarmale - Romanian Cabbage Rolls Recipe

Notes

Let the cabbage rolls cool completely before storing. Store them in a sealed container in the fridge for a maximum of 4 days.