Argentinian Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Ingredients

• 1 large head of cabbage 1 large head of cabbage
• 500g (1.1 lb) ground beef 500g (1.1 lb) ground beef
• 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
• 1 teaspoon cumin 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 cups (470ml) tomato sauce 2 cups (470ml) tomato sauce
• 1 cup (235ml) beef broth 1 cup (235ml) beef broth
• Fresh parsley, for garnish Fresh parsley, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 18g, 7g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 20g, 4g
• Protein: 25g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Carefully remove the core from the cabbage and place it in the boiling water. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the outer leaves are tender. Remove the cabbage from the pot and let it cool. Once cooled, carefully peel off the leaves, ensuring they remain intact.
2. 2.
   In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, cooked rice, chopped onion, minced garlic, cumin, paprika, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
3. 3.
   Take a cabbage leaf and place a spoonful of the beef and rice mixture in the center. Fold the sides of the leaf over the filling and roll it up tightly. Repeat with the remaining cabbage leaves and filling.
4. 4.
   In a large pot, spread a thin layer of tomato sauce on the bottom. Arrange the stuffed cabbage rolls in the pot, seam side down. Pour the remaining tomato sauce and beef broth over the rolls.
5. 5.
   Cover the pot and simmer over low heat for 45-50 minutes, or until the cabbage leaves are tender and the flavors have melded together.
6. 6.
   Serve the Argentinian Stuffed Cabbage Rolls hot, garnished with fresh parsley.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Cabbage — To make it easier to remove the leaves, you can freeze the whole cabbage overnight and then thaw it before boiling. This helps loosen the leaves without tearing them.
• Ground beef — Opt for lean ground beef to reduce the fat content of the dish.
• Tomato sauce — If you prefer a spicier sauce, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the tomato sauce.

Tips & Tricks

• To prevent the cabbage leaves from tearing while rolling, blanch them for a shorter time if they are too soft or for a longer time if they are too firm.
• If you have leftover filling, you can use it to make meatballs or stuff bell peppers for another delicious meal.
• For a heartier version, you can add a handful of cooked diced potatoes to the filling mixture.

Serving advice

Serve the Argentinian Stuffed Cabbage Rolls as a main dish accompanied by a fresh green salad and crusty bread to soak up the flavorful tomato sauce.

Presentation advice

Arrange the stuffed cabbage rolls on a platter, drizzle some of the tomato sauce over them, and garnish with fresh parsley for an appetizing presentation.