Stuffed cabbage, also known as cabbage rolls, are boiled cabbage leaves that are stuffed with various meat fillings such as ground beef, pork, or lamb. Grains such as rice or bread crumbs and vegetables such as mushrooms may also be used to fill the cabbage leaves.
Names for Stuffed Cabbage
Stuffed cabbage exists across Europe and the Middle East. There is even a variant in Japan, which may have evolved independently. While the basic concept is the same across the cuisines, the nuances, such as spices and toppings, may be different. Names for stuffed cabbage include:
Background and Variations
Cabbage rolls originated in Eastern Europe. They are a dish heavy on variations, but were originally simply cabbage leaves stuffed with beef, lamb or pork.http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-cabbage-rolls.htm Traditional seasonings include onion and garlic as well as a variety of different spices.http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Cabbage_roll There are a potentially infinite number of ways to modify the dish from its original style. While tomato based sauces are most common, variations from Sweden and Finland include serving cabbage rolls with bittersweet lingonberry jam.
Serving Suggestions
Stuffed cabbage can be served in a variety of different ways. It is suggested that you bake your cabbage rolls in glass or ceramic ovenware as aluminum pans can leave traces of metal in your food. This is because of the acidity in the tomato sauce.http://www.akiskitchen.ca/recipes_meals/cabbage_rolls/cabbage_rolls_1.html
Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
This video from FoodWishes.com shows you exactly how to make stuffed cabbage rolls. The recipe used in the clip includes both beef and veal, though you can vary the recipe to your liking. This video is also quite popular since it's been viewed around 130,000 times!
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How to Cook Cabbage
To prepare a cooked cabbage dish, follow the instructions of Chef Tristan Blash of Hipcooks. Chef Blash shows how to sauté chopped onion and suggests slicing the cabbage thinly so it cooks easily. After adding mustard seed, add cabbage to the skillet and cook until wilted.
References
Fast Facts
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Traditional cuisine in Europe
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Leaves must be steamed or boiled to soften
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Similar to dolmas
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Available at many European restaurants
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Dolma is a dish similar to stuffed cabbage where cabbage is substituted for grape leaves
