Serbian Cabbage and Meat Delights
Prepare to embark on a culinary journey through the heart of the Balkans, where the warmth of the Serbian kitchen awaits to embrace you. Our Serbian Cabbage and Meat Delights are a culinary tribute to the rich tradition of Serbian cuisine. This dish, rich in flavor and history, boasts a harmonious blend of tender ground meat, aromatic spices, and the comforting embrace of cabbage. This recipe is tailored to be not only a feast for the senses but a comforting embrace for the soul.
Serves: 2, Difficulty: Expert
Preparation Time: 30 minutes, Cooking Time: 2 hours
Ingredients
- 4 cabbage leaves, fresh
- 250 grams ground beef
- 75 grams rice
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 50 grams bacon, chopped
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 2 bay leaves
- 200 ml tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Method
- Begin by blanching the cabbage leaves in boiling water for 3 minutes to soften them. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, sautéing until translucent.
- Incorporate the ground beef and bacon, cooking until the meat is browned.
- Stir in the rice, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 2 minutes.
- Add the bay leaves and tomato sauce, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer. Cook for 10 minutes and remove from heat.
- Lay a cabbage leaf on a flat surface, spoon a portion of the meat mixture into the center, and fold the leaf around the filling to form a neat parcel.
- Place the cabbage rolls in a baking dish. Pour over any remaining tomato sauce.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for 1.5 hours.
- Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.
Tips
- For a lighter dish, replace beef with pork or use a mix of the two for a richer flavor.
- The cabbage rolls can be prepared a day in advance and only need to be cooked before serving.
Nutritional Information
| Nutrient | Per 100g | Per Serving |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 150 kcal | 375 kcal |
| Energy | 628 kJ | 1570 kJ |
| Fat | 10 g | 25 g |
| Saturated Fat | 4 g | 10 g |
| Carbohydrates | 10 g | 25 g |
| Sugars | 3 g | 7.5 g |
| Proteins | 12 g | 30 g |
| Salt | 1 g | 2.5 g |
