Sarmale cu Varza Dulce (Stuffed Cabbage Rolls)
Sarmale cu Varza Dulce (Stuffed Cabbage Rolls)
INGREDIENTS:
1 bread slice, crustless
Milk
1¾ lb. ground meat (mixture of pork & beef is recommended)
4 large onions, finely chopped
2 Tbs. rice, uncooked
Fresh dill, chopped, to taste
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. salt
1 large cabbage
5-6 tomatoes, thinly sliced
3 Tbs. lard or butter
2-4 cups water
1 qt. sour cream
DIRECTIONS:
Soak bread in milk then press out liquid. Mix meat, bread, and one onion. Add rice, dill, pepper, salt, and remaining onion and continue mixing. Core cabbage and carefully remove leaves, one by one, to avoid tearing. Chop leaves that are too small to use as wraps. Cut larger leaves in two or three pieces, then place a small amount of meat mixture in each leaf and roll, tucking in the tops and bottoms like a burrito. Place a layer of rolls in a deep pot, followed by a layer of chopped cabbage, then a layer of tomatoes. Keep layering until all the rolls are used. The top layer should be tomato slices. Add lard or butter on top, and pour water in pan until it covers rolls, add more dill. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and allow to simmer for an hour. Sprinkle dill on top to taste, and serve hot with sour cream.