Ingredients:
– 1 large head of cabbage
– 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
– 1/2 pound ground pork
– 1 cup cooked rice
– 1 large onion, finely chopped
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 egg, beaten
– 1 teaspoon salt
– 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
– 1/2 teaspoon paprika
– 2 cups tomato sauce
– 1 cup beef broth
– 2 tablespoons brown sugar
– 2 tablespoons lemon juice or vinegar
– 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Cabbage:
– Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Carefully remove the core from the cabbage. Place the whole head of cabbage in the boiling water and cook for 2-3 minutes, until the outer leaves are softened. Remove the cabbage and peel off the softened leaves. Return the cabbage to the boiling water as needed to soften more leaves. Continue until you have about 12-15 leaves. Set aside.
2. Prepare the Filling:
– In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, cooked rice, chopped onion, minced garlic, beaten egg, salt, pepper, and paprika. Mix until well combined.
3. Assemble the Rolls:
– Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Take one cabbage leaf and place about 2-3 tablespoons of the filling at the base of the leaf. Fold in the sides and roll up tightly, like a burrito. Repeat with the remaining leaves and filling.
4. Prepare the Sauce:
– In a medium bowl, combine the tomato sauce, beef broth, brown sugar, lemon juice (or vinegar), and Worcestershire sauce. Stir well to combine.
5. Bake:
– Place the cabbage rolls seam-side down in a large baking dish. Pour the sauce evenly over the cabbage rolls. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil.
6. Cook:
– Bake in the preheated oven for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, until the cabbage is tender and the filling is cooked through.
7. Serve: Halupki (Stuffed Cabbage)
– Remove the cabbage rolls from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. Spoon some of the sauce from the baking dish over the rolls.
