Romanian Cabbage Rolls with Ground Pork and Bacon

Romanian Cabbage Rolls with Bacon

Experience the heartwarming sensory delight of Eastern European cuisine with our Romanian Cabbage Rolls, a harmonious blend of ground meat, rice, and aromatic herbs, all enveloped in tender cabbage leaves, and beautifully adorned with the smoky essence of bacon and a rich tomato sauce. This classic Romanian dish is perfect for a rich and satisfying dinner for two, providing a delicious and nutritious culinary adventure.

Serves: 2, Difficulty: Expert

Preparation Time: 30 minutes, Cooking Time: 1.5 hours

Ingredients

• 4 large cabbage leaves
• 200 grams ground pork
• 100 grams rice
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 100 grams bacon, chopped
• 100 grams tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon dill, chopped
• 2 bay leaves
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Method

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and blanch the cabbage leaves for about 3 minutes, until softened. Drain and set aside.
• In a large pan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced onion and garlic, sauté until softened.
• Add the ground pork to the pan and cook until browned.
• Stir in the rice, and cook for additional 2 minutes, mixing well with the meat.
• Add paprika, dill, salt, and pepper to taste, and combine well.
• Lay a cabbage leaf flat and place about a quarter of the meat mixture in the center. Fold the edges over and roll tightly. Repeat with the remaining leaves and filling.
• In a large pot, heat the remaining olive oil and sauté the bacon until slightly crispy, then place the cabbage rolls seam-side down in the pot.
• In a small bowl, combine the tomato paste with 200 ml of water, and pour over the cabbage rolls. Add bay leaves.
• Cover and simmer over low heat for about 1.5 hours until the cabbage is tender and flavors are well melded.

Tips

• For a more intense flavor, let the cabbage rolls rest for a day in the fridge before reheating and serving.
• Replace some of the pork with beef for a heartier taste.
• Adjust the seasoning to taste with additional dill and paprika for a stronger aromatic and spicy flavor.

Nutritional Information