Persian Stuffed Cabbage Leaves Recipes

POLISH STUFFED CABBAGE

Steps:

• Place the head of cabbage in a large pot over high heat and add water to cover. Boil cabbage for 15 minutes, or until it is pliable and soft. Drain and allow to cool completely. Remove the hard outer vein from the leaves.
• In a separate large bowl, combine the beef, rice, garlic powder and the egg, mixing well. Place a small amount, about the size of your palm, into the center of a cabbage leaf and fold leaf over, tucking in the sides of the leaf to keep meat mixture inside.
• Pile up the filled leaves in a large pot, putting the larger leaves on the bottom. Add the tomato juice, vinegar and sugar and enough water to cover. Simmer over medium low heat for about 60 minutes. (Note: Keep an eye on them, making sure the bottom of leaves do not burn.)

PERSIAN SWEET-AND-SOUR STUFFED CABBAGE ROLLS

Steps:

• To detach the cabbage leaves, cut a deep cone into the core at the stem end with a pointed knife and plunge the whole cabbage into boiling salted water. This will soften and loosen 1 or 2 layers of leaves. Detach these, and plunge again into boiling water to detach more leaves, and continue until all of the leaves are separated. Cut very large leaves in half, but leave small ones whole.
• Prepare the filling. Wash the rice and cook in boiling water until it is almost tender-about 10 minutes-then drain. Boil the split peas separately until tender. Fry the onion in 3 tablespoons oil until soft and transparent. Add the meat and turmeric and season to taste with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until the meat changes color, then remove from the heat and add the rice and split peas, tomato paste, parsley, and more salt and pepper. Mix well.
• Lay the cabbage leaves on a plate one at a time. Shave off the thickest part of the hard rib if necessary. Put a heaping tablespoon of the mixture at the bottom of each leaf, bring the sides up over it, and roll up into a bundle. Put a little oil at the bottom of a heavy pan, cover with a few broken leaves to protect the others from burning, then arrange over them rows and layers of stuffed cabbage rolls.
• Mix the vinegar with an equal quantity of water, stir in the sugar, and pour over the rolls. Put a plate over them, cover the pan, and cook gently on a very low flame for 3/4-1 hour, until rolls are very tender and the liquid has been absorbed, adding water if necessary.
• Serve hot or cold.

DOLMEH KALAM (STUFFED CABBAGE LEAVES WITH SWEET-SOUR SAUCE)

Steps:

• Separate the leaves carefully from the head of the cabbage.
• blanch in boiling water for about 5 minutes until limp.
• Do not overcook.
• Drain in a colander.
• Cut out the thick secion[ribs], only removing the lower portion.
• Combine the mince with onion, rice, herbs and turmeric.
• Add 1 1/2 tsp salt and pepper to taste.
• Divide mixture into 18 portions.
• spread a cabbage leaf flat on the work surface and place one filling portion on the base of the leaf.
• Roll once, fold in the sides and roll up into a firm package.
• Repeat with remaining ingredients.
• Line a heavy pan with cabbage trimmings or a well washed outer leaf.
• Pack rolls in close together in layers.
• Add 1 cup cold water and invert a heavy plate over the rolls.
• cover, bring to a simmer and cook gently for 45 minutes.
• Blend sugar and vinegar and add to pan.
• tilt pan to blend liquids.
• Cover and cook for a further 30 minutes.
• Serve with chelou or flat bread.

PERSIAN CABBAGE ROLLS

Steps:

• Cook the peas in boiling water 30 minutes or until tender.
• Drain.
• Wash the cabbage and take out the core, cover with water, bring to a boil, and cook over low heat 15 minutes.
• Drain, cool slightly, and carefully remove 24 leaves.
• Reserve the balance of the cabbage.
• Mix together the peas, beef, onions, parsley, cinnamon, 1 teaspoon of the salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper.
• Put a heaping tablespoon of the mixture on each cabbage leaf.
• Fold in the opposite ends, then roll up into sausage shapes.
• If there is any filling left, use a few more cabbage leaves.
• Line the bottom of a deep skillet with additional cabbage leaves and arrange the rolls in it in layers, placing more leaves between the layers.
• Add the broth and the remaining salt and pepper, then cover with cabbage leaves.
• Cover the skillet and cook over low heat 30 minutes.
• Mix in the lemon juice and sugar.
• Cook 30 minutes longer; taste for seasoning.
• Serves 6-8.

BEST STUFFED CABBAGE ROLLS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Stir in 4 teaspoons salt. Remove loose, outer leaves from the cabbage and place in the boiling water for 1 minute. Remove from the water and set aside.
• Remove core from the cabbage and carefully place the head in the boiling water. Cook for 5 minutes, removing the outer leaves one at a time as they loosen every minute. Set aside 12 large leaves and reserve inner portion of the cabbage for another use.
• Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Set aside 2 tablespoons minced onion for cabbage rolls; add remaining onion to the hot oil. Cook, stirring often, until translucent, about 2 minutes. Stir in tomato sauce, undrained diced tomatoes, water, vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon salt; bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and cook for 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Prepare cabbage rolls: Mix sirloin, rice, garlic, reserved minced onion, remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, remaining pepper, and allspice together in a bowl until well combined.
• Place a softened cabbage leaf on a cutting board and remove the bottom, tough portion of the stem. Place about 3 tablespoons meat filling into the center of the leaf. Fold the sides inward and roll the leaf up tightly, like a burrito or spring roll. Repeat with remaining leaves and filling.
• Pour 1 cup tomato sauce mixture in a bottom of a 9x13-inch or 11x7-inch baking dish. Place cabbage rolls, seam-side down, in the baking dish and pour remaining sauce on top. Cover tightly with foil.
• Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour. Lightly squeeze a wedge of lemon over each serving and garnish with parsley.

SERBIAN STUFFED CABBAGE

Steps:

• In a skillet, brown beef and onion; drain and set aside. In a Dutch oven or large kettle, bring 2 quarts of water to a boil. Add cabbage; simmer 6-8 minutes. Remove wilted cabbage leaves with a fork; drain and cool. , Meanwhile, in a saucepan, add rice to 2 cups boiling water; when water comes to a boil again, remove from the heat. Drain and rinse. Add rice to beef; season with salt and pepper. Remove the large vein from 12 large cabbage leaves. , Line bottom of another large kettle with half of the remaining small cabbage leaves; cover with half of the sauerkraut. Place 1 tablespoon of meat mixture on each large cabbage leaf. Fold sides over and roll leaf up tightly lengthwise; tuck loose ends under and place seam side down on top of sauerkraut. Repeat with remaining large leaves and meat mixture. Cover with remaining sauerkraut and small cabbage leaves. , For gravy, combine the oil and flour in a small saucepan. Add remaining ingredients and cook over medium heat until slightly thickened; pour over cabbage leaves. Simmer gently over low heat for 1-1/2 to 2 hours, shaking kettle occasionally to prevent sticking.