Serbian Cabbage Meat Rolls Recipe

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