Oven-Baked Cabbage Rolls with Beef

Ingredients

• 8 cabbage leaves
• 100 g ground beef
• 3 tbsp rice (rinsed)
• 1 small onion (finely chopped)
• 1 tsp tomato paste (for the filling)
• 1 tbsp olive oil (for the filling)
• 2.5 tbsp water (for the filling; the source indicates 2–3 tbsp)
• salt (to taste, for the filling)
• black pepper (to taste, for the filling)
• red pepper flakes (optional, for the filling)
• 1 tbsp tomato paste (for the sauce)
• 1 cup water (for the sauce)
• 1 tbsp olive oil (for the sauce)
• 1 tsp butter (for the sauce)
• dried mint (a pinch)
• lemon juice (a few drops)
• salt (optional, to taste, for the sauce)
• hot water (a little, if needed during baking)

Steps

1. 1

   Remove the tough core from the cabbage and separate the 8 leaves. Boil the leaves in boiling water until softened enough to roll.

2. 2

   Thin the tough central rib of each leaf with a knife, or gently tap it with the blunt side of the blade to soften it.

3. 3

   Finely chop the onion. In a pan, heat the olive oil for the filling and gently sauté the onion.

4. 4

   Add the teaspoon of tomato paste for the filling and stir.

5. 5

   Add the rinsed rice and the 2–3 tbsp of water. Cook for a few minutes.

6. 6

   Add the ground beef, salt, pepper, and, if desired, the red pepper flakes. Stir and remove the pan from the heat before the filling dries out completely.

7. 7

   Place one heaping tablespoon of filling on each leaf. Fold the edges inward, roll up the leaves, and arrange the rolls in a suitable ovenproof dish.

8. 8

   In a bowl, thin the tomato paste for the sauce with 200 ml of water. Add the olive oil, butter, a pinch of dried mint, a few drops of lemon juice, and optionally salt; stir.

9. 9

   Gently heat the sauce on the stovetop for 1–2 minutes, then pour it over the cabbage rolls.

10. 10

    Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C, using top-and-bottom heat, for approximately 25–35 minutes, until the rolls are lightly browned on top and the cabbage is tender.

11. 11

    If needed during baking, add a little hot water to the dish. Serve.

Notes

The source does not specify the time required to boil the leaves. Adding hot water during baking is mentioned as a possibility, without specifying an amount.

Nutrition per serving

• main course
• Turkish cuisine
• oven-baked
• beef
• rice