Russian Jewish Cabbage Rolls
Description
These classic Russian-Jewish cabbage rolls offer a comforting blend of savory meat filling and a rich, sweet-tangy tomato sauce. The filling combines ground beef with soaked bread and egg for a tender texture that contrasts beautifully with the soft cabbage leaves. The sauce is unique, featuring caramelized sugar, fresh lemon juice, and tomato juice, creating a distinctively bright and deep flavor profile. Perfect for family dinners or holiday gatherings, these rolls are satisfying and nostalgic.Directions
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Core the cabbage and place it in a large saucepan. Cover with water and bring to a boil.
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Boil the cabbage until the leaves are softened and pliable enough to peel off easily. Drain off the water.
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Peel off the outer cabbage leaves. Slice off the thick stem base from each leaf to make rolling easier.
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In a small bowl, dampen the bread slices with the 1/4 cup of water. Squeeze out excess water if necessary.
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground hamburger, dampened bread, egg, salt, and pepper. Mix well until uniform.
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Place a portion of the meat mixture onto each cabbage leaf. Fold the sides over and roll up tightly.
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Arrange the cabbage rolls seam-side down in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven.
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Chop the onion, pare and slice the carrots, and cut the celery stalks in half.
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Place the chopped onions, carrots, and celery on top of the cabbage rolls in the pot.
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Pour the tomato juice and canned tomatoes over the rolls and vegetables.
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In a separate heavy skillet, caramelize the 1 cup of sugar over medium heat until it turns amber and bubbly.
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Carefully pour the caramelized sugar into the pot with the cabbage rolls.
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Juice the 2 lemons and add the fresh lemon juice to the pot.
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Bring the mixture to a simmer. Cover and simmer gently for 2 hours, or until the cabbage is tender and the flavors have melded.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 4 cups
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 584.5kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 7.0g11%
- Saturated Fat 1.9g10%
- Cholesterol 101.1mg34%
- Sodium 2918.4mg122%
- Total Carbohydrate 98.8g33%
- Dietary Fiber 9.8g40%
- Sugars 77.9g
- Protein 36.2g73%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
cabbage rolls, russian, jewish, ground beef, tomato sauce, lemon, caramelized sugar, comfort food, simmered, traditional, holiday dinner, family recipe, savory, tangy
