Croatian Cabbage Rolls with Meat

Ingredients

• 1 large head of cabbage 1 large head of cabbage
• 500g (1.1 lb) ground beef 500g (1.1 lb) ground beef
• 250g (8.8 oz) ground pork 250g (8.8 oz) ground pork
• 1 cup (200g) cooked rice 1 cup (200g) cooked rice
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 can (400g) crushed tomatoes 1 can (400g) crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 cups (470ml) beef broth 2 cups (470ml) beef broth
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1884 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 25g, 9g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 25g, 5g
• Protein: 30g
• Fiber: 5g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Carefully remove the core from the cabbage and place the whole head in the boiling water. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until the outer leaves are tender and can be easily peeled off. Remove the cabbage from the pot and let it cool slightly.
2. 2.
   In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, cooked rice, chopped onion, minced garlic, parsley, thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
3. 3.
   Gently separate the cabbage leaves and trim off the tough center ribs. Place a spoonful of the meat mixture onto each cabbage leaf and roll it up, tucking in the sides as you go. Repeat with the remaining leaves and filling.
4. 4.
   In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the tomato paste and cook for a minute, stirring constantly. Add the crushed tomatoes and beef broth, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring the sauce to a simmer.
5. 5.
   Carefully place the cabbage rolls into the pot, seam side down, making sure they are fully submerged in the sauce. Cover the pot and simmer for about 1 hour, or until the cabbage rolls are tender and the flavors have melded together.
6. 6.
   Serve the Croatian Cabbage Rolls with Meat hot, spooning some of the tomato sauce over each roll. Enjoy with a side of mashed potatoes or crusty bread.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Cabbage — To make it easier to remove the leaves, you can freeze the whole head of cabbage overnight and then thaw it before boiling. This will help loosen the leaves.
• Ground meat — Use a mixture of ground beef and ground pork for the best flavor and texture. You can also substitute with ground turkey or chicken if desired.
• Tomato paste — If you prefer a richer tomato flavor, you can use double the amount of tomato paste.

Tips & Tricks

• To prevent the cabbage rolls from sticking to the bottom of the pot, place a layer of cabbage leaves or sliced onions at the bottom before adding the rolls.
• For a smoky flavor, you can add a small amount of smoked paprika to the meat mixture.
• Leftover cabbage rolls can be refrigerated and enjoyed the next day. They often taste even better after the flavors have had time to meld together.

Serving advice

Serve the Croatian Cabbage Rolls with Meat hot, spooning some of the tomato sauce over each roll. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color. Pair it with a side of mashed potatoes or crusty bread to complete the meal.

Presentation advice

Arrange the cabbage rolls on a platter, placing them seam side down to showcase their beautiful shape. Drizzle some of the tomato sauce over the rolls and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve with a side of mashed potatoes and enjoy the vibrant colors and flavors of this traditional Croatian dish.