Sarma (stuffed Cabbage Surprise)
Sarma is a traditional dish in Eastern European cuisine, consisting of cabbage leaves stuffed with a flavorful mixture of ground meat, rice, and spices. This dish is a labor of love, but the results are well worth the effort!
Ingredients
- 1 large head of cabbage
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup uncooked rice
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups tomato sauce
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Carefully remove the cabbage leaves, blanch them in the boiling water for 2-3 minutes, then remove and set aside to cool.
- In a bowl, mix together the ground beef, rice, onion, garlic, paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Place a spoonful of the meat mixture onto each cabbage leaf, then fold the sides in and roll up the leaf to encase the filling.
- Place the stuffed cabbage rolls in a large pot, seam side down. Pour the tomato sauce over the rolls.
- Cover the pot and simmer on low heat for 1.5-2 hours, until the cabbage is tender and the filling is cooked through.
Cooking & Preparation
- Preparation time:
- 30 minutes
- Cooking time:
- 2 hours
- Total time:
- 2 hours
- Cooking method
- Stovetop
Nutritional facts per 1 serving
- Calories
- 300 per serving
- Protein
- 15g
- Carbohydrates
- 25g
- Fat
- 15g
Supplies
Large pot Sharp knife Bowl
Tools
Cutting board Spoon
Serving suggestions
Serve the sarma hot, accompanied by a dollop of sour cream and a slice of crusty bread.
Tips & tricks
For a vegetarian version, substitute the ground beef with a mixture of mushrooms and lentils.
Cost
$15