Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Ingredients:

1 head of kale

500g ground meat (beef, pork, or a mixture of both)

1 onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1 egg

100g cooked rice (optional)

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1 tablespoon paprika

1 teaspoon dried thyme

Salt and pepper to taste

50g grated cheese (optional)

500ml tomato sauce (or béchamel sauce for a different version)

1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions:

Preparing the kale:

Start by removing the leaves from the kale. To do this, cut off the stem end of the cabbage and immerse it in boiling water for about 3 to 5 minutes to soften the leaves. Remove the leaves one by one and let them cool.

If the leaves are too thick, you can cut them at the base to remove the tough rib.

Preparing the stuffing:

In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat and add the onion and garlic. Sauté until softened and lightly browned.

In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, cooked onion and garlic, egg, cooked rice (if using), paprika, thyme, tomato paste, salt, and pepper. Mix well until smooth.

Stuffing the cabbage leaves:

Take each cabbage leaf, remove the base of the rib if necessary (to make the leaf more pliable), then place about a tablespoon of stuffing in the center of each leaf.

Fold the edges of the leaf inward and roll it up to form a tight little parcel.

Cooking the cabbage rolls:

In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, arrange the cabbage rolls side by side, tightly packed.

Pour the tomato sauce (or béchamel) over the cabbage rolls. Cover and cook over low heat for about 45 minutes to 1 hour. The cabbage rolls should be tender and the meat well cooked.

Finishing:

If desired, you can add grated cheese to the top of the rolls 10 minutes before the end of cooking to lightly brown them.

Serving:

Serve the cabbage rolls piping hot, accompanied by mashed potatoes or a green salad for a complete and tasty meal.

Tips:

Variation of the filling: For a lighter version, you can replace the ground meat with crumbled tofu or lentils for a vegetarian version.

Sauce: You can add fresh herbs such as basil or parsley to the sauce for added freshness.

Stuffed Cabbage Rolls are a comforting and nutritious dish, perfect for a meal with family or friends!