-
1
For the filling: In a medium skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat.
-
2
Add onions and saute until soft and starting to caramelize.
-
3
Add garlic and cook just until soft, but not browned.
-
4
Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
-
5
In a large bowl, combine beef, pork, cooked rice, eggs, 2 teaspoons of the seasoning blend, salt, pepper and onion/garlic mixture.
-
6
Mix well with your hands until fully combined and set aside.
-
7
For the sauce: Melt butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat.
-
8
Add onions and cook, stirring, until softened.
-
9
Add garlic and cook for an additional minute, until softened but not browned.
-
10
Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes and juice and chicken stock and bring to a boil.
-
11
Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
-
12
Add the apple cider vinegar and simmer, stirring occasionally, until sauce is slightly thickened.
-
13
Remove from heat and allow to cool while you prepare the rolls.
-
14
To prep the cabbage: Core the cabbage and place the head in a large pot of boiling water.
-
15
Cover the pot and cook just long enough for leaves to become soft and are able to be removed easily.
-
16
You can pull the leaves off one by one when they are easily removed.
-
17
Drain leaves in a colander and pat dry with paper towel.
-
18
Using a sharp knife or vegetable peeler, shave the spine on the back of each leaf so that it is equal in thickness to the rest of the leaf.
-
19
You will need approximately 12 whole leaves.
-
20
For the assembly:
-
21
Lay each cabbage leaf flat, spine side down on your work surface.
-
22
Spoon about 1/4 cup of the meat mixture onto the bottom of the cabbage leaf and roll up, tucking in the sides as you go.
-
23
Place rolls, seam side down, into an un-greased baking dish.
-
24
Repeat until all leaves and filling are used.
-
25
Pour sauce over the rolls.
-
26
Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and refrigerate or bake.
-
27
Preheat oven to 350 F.
-
28
Bake the rolls, covered, for 2 hours or until the meat is cooked through and the cabbage is very tender.
-
29
Remove from oven and serve.
