Delicious Traditional Romanian Cabbage Rolls

Delicious Romanian Cabbage Rolls

Embark on a culinary journey to Romania with this traditional and sumptuous Cabbage Rolls recipe. These hearty rolls, filled with a delightful mixture of ground pork, rice, and spices, offer a taste of Romanian warmth and hospitality. Their tender leaves and flavorful stuffing are complimented by a tangy tomato sauce, making this a memorable and deeply satisfying meal. Perfect for a cozy dinner for two, this recipe combines robust Eastern European flavors with a contemporary cooking twist.

Serves: 2, Difficulty: Expert

Preparation Time: 30 minutes, Cooking Time: 90 minutes

Ingredients

• 200g Cabbage leaves
• 200g Ground pork
• 100g White rice
• 100g Onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of Garlic, minced
• 50g Bacon, chopped
• 100g Tomato paste
• 10g Dill, chopped
• 2 Bay leaves
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• 1g Paprika
• 10g Olive oil

Method

• Blanch the cabbage leaves in boiling water for 2-3 minutes to soften. Drain and set aside.
• In a pan, sauté the bacon in olive oil until crispy, add the onion, and garlic, and cook until translucent.
• In a bowl, mix ground pork, rice, sautéed bacon, onion, garlic, dill, paprika, salt, and pepper.
• Place a spoonful of the pork mixture on each cabbage leaf and roll tightly, tucking the edges in.
• In a pot, layer the cabbage rolls, add the bay leaves, and pour in the tomato paste diluted with water until the rolls are covered.
• Simmer on low heat for 90 minutes until the rolls are tender and the flavors meld.
• Remove bay leaves and serve hot.

Tips

• For a deeper flavor, prepare the rolls a day in advance and let them sit in the fridge. Reheat gently to serve.
• Adjust the spices and salt to taste, adding a dash of paprika for a light hint of heat.

Nutritional Information