Sarma Cabbage Rolls Recipes

CROATIAN SARMA RECIPE (STUFFED CABBAGE ROLLS)

Steps:

• Take an entire pickled cabbage head. You'll find these on Amazon or in European delicatessens in the chilled section. Wash each leaf thoroughly. Remove the thick part of the stem without tearing the leaves. It's best to allow the leaves to drain on some paper towel or pat each one dry
• Take a large mixing bowl, and combine mincemeat, speck, garlic, parsley leaves, soda water or bicarbonate soda, rice, Vegeta, hot paprika (optional), sweet paprika (optional), breadcrumbs (optional), Salt and pepper, egg & olive oil
• Mix all of the ingredients until well combined
• You want each of the leaves to be about the same size so that each cabbage roll cooks at the same time. So go ahead and cut any large leaves in half, and also join two smaller leaves together as you go
• Take approx 3 tablespoons of the minced meat, and gently combine in the palm of your hand. Do not roll or compress as this will make them too dense when you eat them
• Place the meat on the edge of the cabbage leaf and roll away from you. Then tuck in the sides of the leaf gently into the meat. There should be no exposed meat. If there is, remove some of the filling
• Set the sarma aside, and prepare the sauce
• In a shallow saucepan, or even better, a Le Creuset cast-Iron dish, splash in some extra virgin olive oil, add the 2 diced onions and cook until transparent on low heat. Then add the 2 diced carrots, diced speck, and parsley. Continue to fry on low heat until carrots start to soften
• Add the shredded sauerkraut and create a layer on the bottom of the saucepan. Now, pack the Croatian sarma into the saucepan. They should be packed close together.
• Pour in boiling water so that it just covers the sarma. Add the passata and a pinch of salt and pepper. Every 20 minutes, give the saucepan a shake (do not stir them or they will break) and let them simmer for 2 hours on a low-medium heat

SARMA (STUFFED CABBAGE)

Steps:

• Place cabbage in the freezer for a few days. The night before making the rolls, take it out to thaw.
• In a large bowl, combine the beef, pork, ham, rice, onion, egg, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Mix well. Form meat mixture into oblong balls, using 1/2 cup of the mixture at a time. Then, wrap a cabbage leaf around each ball.
• Spread the sauerkraut in the bottom of a large pot, then layer cabbage rolls on top, placing them seam-side down. Pour tomato juice over rolls, then add enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for about 3 hours, adding more water as necessary.

SARMA (CABBAGE ROLLS)

Steps:

• Remove bruised leaves from cabbage and cut out center core.
• Pour boiling water over cabbages to soften.
• Meanwhile, sauté bacon and onion until bacon is done.
• Add half the tomato soup.
• Beat eggs and add salt, pepper, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, ground beef, pork and ham.
• Add bacon mixture and rice and mix thoroughly.
• Separate cabbage leaves and drain.
• Place heaping tablespoon of stuffing at core end of each cabbage leaf and roll carefully, tucking in ends.
• Place rolls in layers in Dutch oven or heavy kettle.
• Chop small unused leaves and place over to.
• Pour remaining soup and add enough water to cover rolls.
• Cover and simmer 2 to 2-1/2 hours.

THE VERY BEST CABBAGE ROLLS AKA SARMAS

Steps:

• Core cabbage and boil in pan of water with 3 tblsp vinegar,boil about 25 minutes till leaves are soft.
• While the cabbage is boiling,cook bacon, crisp and crumbled set aside.
• Saute onions and garlic,set aside.
• Mix beef and pork with eggs,spices,rice and 1/2 cup onions and garlic and bacon.
• Cut thick vein from leaves.
• Fill cabbage leaves with 2 tblsp of filling place seams down.
• Combine sauce,sauerkraut,remaining onions,garlic, sugar,salt,paprika,and pepper. Pour over cabbage rolls.
• Can be made in crockpot 6-8 hours low or stovetop bring to boil cover and simmer 3 hours or in the oven 350 foil covered for 2 hours.
• When the rolls are done add a mix of cornstarch and water to thicken the sauce and pour over rolls to serve.