Golubtsi - Cabbage Rolls

Ingredients

• 1 large cabbage
• 2 pounds (1kg) lean ground beef
• 2 cups uncooked medium grain rice
• 3 carrots (grated)
• 2 large onions (finely chopped)
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoon oil
• 1/2 pound (250g) back bacon (optional)
• 2 jars Passata Tomato Puree (24oz/700g)
• 1 cup sour cream
• 3 tablespoons beef stock powder
• 1 small onion (finely chopped)
• 5 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 bay leaves
• bunch fresh chopped dill

Instructions

1. 1

   --- Making Golubtsi ---

2. 2

   Rinse the rice, and cook according to instructions, and allow to cool.

3. 3

   Cut out the core from the cabbage and remove the outer leaves.

4. 4

   In a large pot of salted water, fully submerge the cabbage, core side down. Bring to a boil and rotate the cabbage. After about 6-7 minutes, pull off the cabbage leaves as they soften, and allow to cool. Leaves should be soft enough to bend but not overcooked.

5. 5

   In a frying pan, heat olive oil and sauté onions until lightly browned. Add grated carrots and cook until caramelized.

6. 6

   Using your hands, mix together ground beef, cooked rice, sautéed carrots and onions, eggs, salt and pepper.

7. 7

   Place meat filling to the thickest side of the cabbage leaf. Roll up the cabbage, tucking the insides. Your first few might look a bit funny, but it will get easier as you go.

8. 8

   In a large stock pot, lay the cabbage rolls side by side until the first layer is filled. Place a layer of bacon over the cabbage rolls. Repeat until pot is full, you should get 3 levels of cabbage rolls.

9. 9

   --- Cabbage Roll Sauce ---

10. 10

    In a saucepan, heat oil and sauté onion and garlic until lightly browned. Add the Passata tomato puree, Beef Stock powder (or beef cubes), bay leaf, fresh dill and sour cream bring to a gently simmer.

11. 11

    Pour the tomato sauce over the Golubtsi until fully covered. Bring it to a simmer, cover and cook for approx 40 minutes until the meat is cooked.

12. 12

    Serve with sour cream, garnish with fresh dill and enjoy!