Old-Fashioned Stuffed Cabbage Rolls – Don’t Lose This Recipe

Preparing old-fashioned stuffed cabbage rolls is a journey in itself, a meticulous process that takes us back to a time when cooking was a matter of patience and tradition. Follow these steps carefully to create this culinary masterpiece, capturing the authentic flavor of Eastern European cuisine.
Step 1: Prepare the cabbage

Choose a large fresh head of cabbage and remove any damaged outer leaves. Place the cabbage in a large pot of boiling salted water and cook for about 10 minutes, until the leaves are tender and pliable. Be careful not to overcook the cabbage so that it retains its structure.
Drain the cabbage and immediately plunge it into a large bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. This will also help preserve the beautiful green color of the leaves. Drain again carefully.
Once cool, use a knife to remove the tough part of the base of the cabbage, being careful not to damage the leaves. Carefully peel each leaf off the cabbage and set aside. This will give you cabbage leaves ready to stuff.
Step 2: Make the stuffing

In a large bowl, combine the ground beef and ground pork. This combination of meats will add a rich flavor to the stuffing.
Season the meat with salt and pepper to taste, then add a small amount of the tomato sauce (about 1/4 cup) to bind the stuffing and give it a light tomato flavor. Mix well.
Step 3: Shaping the Rolls