Step 5. Bake: Once you have finished rolling all 10 cabbage rolls, place them into a baking dish measuring 13 x 9 inches, and pour the remaining tomato sauce over them. Cover the dish using aluminum foil and bake it in a preheated oven at 375°F for around 1 hour and 30 minutes. The cabbage and filling will be exceptionally tender and can be easily cut with a spoon. And when you want to serve, before that, let the dish cool down for a short time.
MY BEST TIPS
Rolling old fashioned stuffed cabbage rolls may present some difficulty initially, but with practice of one or two rolls, you will get the hang of it. Here are some suggestions from the Test Kitchen:
It is important to cut the V shape on the core side of the leaf as it provides a smoother and more even surface to work on.
Use your fingers to form the filling into small logs and place them in the center of the leaf, just above the V-shaped cut. Next, fold the open parts of the V-cut over the filling and tuck in the two sides over the filling.
Next, employ your fingers to delicately press the filling from the top, securing it tightly inside the roll. Proceed to roll the entire object over and under to create a sealed roll, with the seam positioned at the bottom.
The step-by-step instructions Old Fashioned Stuffed Cabbage Rolls pictures can be found in the recipe card below.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE OLD FASHIONED STUFFED CABBAGE ROLLS RECIPE
RECIPE VARIATIONS
To cook cabbage until tender, boiling it in a large pot of water is an alternative to microwaving. Begin by bringing 2 cups of water and 1 tablespoon of vinegar to a boil, then add the cabbage with the stem side down. Let it boil for 10 minutes, flip the cabbage over, and cook for an additional 4 minutes (or until it becomes soft). Once
the Old Fashioned Stuffed Cabbage Rolls has cooled down to a manageable temperature, meticulously take off the leaves one by one.
Freezing and thawing the head of cabbage before stuffing and rolling is a technique recommended by other cooks. This eliminates the need to boil the cabbage since the freezing and thawing process sufficiently softens the leaves for rolling.
To use the slow cooker method, prepare the Old Fashioned Stuffed Cabbage Rolls as directed and then put them into a slow cooker that has been coated with cooking spray (or spread with bacon grease). To cook, either set the cooker to LOW heat for 6-8 hours or to HIGH heat for 3-4 hours, while ensuring the lid is securely in place.
When substituting brown rice for white rice, boil the rice for 15 minutes before mixing it with the meat.
To enhance the taste of the stuffed cabbage filling, consider incorporating garlic powder or freshly minced garlic. To further elevate the dish, add a touch of red wine vinegar or lemon juice to the sauce before serving. Sprinkling fresh dill on top will also add more flavor.
WHAT DO YOU SERVE WITH HOMEMADE STUFFED CABBAGE?
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