Grandma's Classic Cabbage Rolls

Instructions

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   First, prepare the savoy cabbage. Carefully remove the outer leaves from the cabbage head. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Immerse the entire cabbage head in the boiling water for about 5-10 minutes, or until the outer leaves soften and can be easily peeled off. Remove the softened leaves and continue to boil the remaining cabbage to peel off more leaves until you have about 8-10 large, pliable leaves. Cut out the thick vein from each cabbage leaf to make them easier to roll.

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   For the filling, finely chop one onion and mince the garlic clove. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, chopped onion, minced garlic, cooked rice, egg, paprika powder, and marjoram. Season generously with salt and pepper. Mix everything thoroughly with your hands until well combined but do not overmix.

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   Place a portion of the meat filling (about 2-3 tablespoons, depending on the size of the cabbage leaf) onto each prepared cabbage leaf. Fold in the sides of the leaf, then roll it up tightly from the bottom to form a compact roll. Repeat with the remaining leaves and filling.

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   Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large oven-safe pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the cabbage rolls on all sides until golden brown. Remove the rolls from the pot and set aside.

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   In the same pot, add the second finely chopped onion and sauté until translucent. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly. Sprinkle in the flour and cook for another minute, stirring, to create a roux.

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   Deglaze with vegetable broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Add the canned diced tomatoes and sugar. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then season with salt and pepper to taste.

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   Carefully place the browned cabbage rolls back into the sauce in the pot. Ensure they are mostly submerged. Bring to a gentle simmer, then cover the pot and cook on low heat for about 60-90 minutes, or until the cabbage is very tender and the filling is cooked through. Alternatively, you can braise them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for the same amount of time.

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   Once cooked, taste the sauce and adjust seasonings if necessary. Serve the classic cabbage rolls hot, perhaps with some boiled potatoes or mashed potatoes on the side. Enjoy!