Comforting Cabbage Rolls 🌿🥬

These hearty cabbage rolls are a classic dish that brings warmth and comfort to any meal. Filled with a savory meat and rice mixture and topped with a tangy sauce, they make for a satisfying dinner. Plus, they can easily be prepared in a slow cooker, allowing you to enjoy a home-cooked meal with minimal fuss. Perfect for cozy family gatherings or as leftovers for lunch the next day! 🍽️

Ingredients

For the filling

• 12 cabbage leaves
• 1 cup cooked white rice
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/4 cup minced onion
• 1 pound extra-lean ground beef
• 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/4 teaspoons ground black pepper

For the sauce

• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Blanch the cabbage leaves for 2 minutes, then drain and set aside.

2. In a large bowl, combine the cooked rice, beaten egg, milk, minced onion, ground beef, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.

3. Take about 1/4 cup of the meat mixture and place it in the center of each cabbage leaf. Roll up tightly, tucking in the ends as you go.

4. Place the cabbage rolls in a slow cooker, seam side down.

5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the tomato sauce, brown sugar, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce. Pour this over the cabbage rolls in the slow cooker.

6. Cover and cook on Low for 8 to 9 hours, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.

🥄 Feel free to add a pinch of your favorite herbs, such as thyme or dill, to the meat mixture for added flavor!

Tips for Success

• Choosing your cabbage: Look for a firm, heavy head of cabbage. Savoy cabbage works wonderfully too, as it has a milder flavor and more tender leaves.

• Make-ahead option: You can prepare the cabbage rolls a day in advance and store them in the fridge until you're ready to cook, making dinner time a breeze!

• Freezing leftovers: These rolls freeze well! Portion them out and store in an airtight container for a quick meal later.

Variations

• Vegetarian option: Substitute the ground beef with cooked lentils or a meat substitute mixed with extra vegetables like chopped mushrooms or bell peppers for a plant-based version. 🍽️
• Spicy twist: Add a dash of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a bit of heat!
• Herbed rice: Mix in some fresh chopped herbs like parsley or cilantro into the rice filling for a flavor upgrade.

Enjoy every delicious bite of these comforting cabbage rolls with your loved ones! 🌟