Best Persian Stuffed Cabbage Leaves Recipes

MIDDLE EASTERN STYLE STUFFED CABBAGE ROLLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a casserole dish with cooking spray.
• Bring a large pot of water to a rapid boil. Cut a circle around the stem of the cabbage and remove the core. Carefully place head of cabbage into the boiling water. After about 1-2 minutes, the top leaf will come off easily when tugged with tongs. Remove from the water and transfer to a large clean work surface. Wait another minute and remove the next outer leaf. Continue until you have 10 cabbage leaves removed. Turn off the heat, and discard the rest of the cabbage or reserve for another use. Pat the leaves dry with paper towels. Cut out the thick part of the rib (creating a "V") from the bottom of each leaf, but don't cut more than a third of the way into the leaf.
• In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef, melted butter, cooked rice, cumin, allspice, salt and pepper. I use my hands to get it fully combined. With the stem side of the cabbage leaf facing you, divide the meat mixture evenly over the center of each leaf. Fold the bottom edges over the mixture and then fold the sides over and roll tight. Place the cabbage rolls, seam side down, in the prepared baking dish.
• Cover with foil and bake for 1 hour. Serve immediately with roasted vegetables, Pita bread and tabbouleh for a full Middle Eastern feast.

PERSIAN CABBAGE ROLLS

Steps:

• Cook the peas in boiling water 30 minutes or until tender.
• Drain.
• Wash the cabbage and take out the core, cover with water, bring to a boil, and cook over low heat 15 minutes.
• Drain, cool slightly, and carefully remove 24 leaves.
• Reserve the balance of the cabbage.
• Mix together the peas, beef, onions, parsley, cinnamon, 1 teaspoon of the salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper.
• Put a heaping tablespoon of the mixture on each cabbage leaf.
• Fold in the opposite ends, then roll up into sausage shapes.
• If there is any filling left, use a few more cabbage leaves.
• Line the bottom of a deep skillet with additional cabbage leaves and arrange the rolls in it in layers, placing more leaves between the layers.
• Add the broth and the remaining salt and pepper, then cover with cabbage leaves.
• Cover the skillet and cook over low heat 30 minutes.
• Mix in the lemon juice and sugar.
• Cook 30 minutes longer; taste for seasoning.
• Serves 6-8.

DOLMEH KALAM (STUFFED CABBAGE LEAVES WITH SWEET-SOUR SAUCE)

Steps:

• Separate the leaves carefully from the head of the cabbage.
• blanch in boiling water for about 5 minutes until limp.
• Do not overcook.
• Drain in a colander.
• Cut out the thick secion[ribs], only removing the lower portion.
• Combine the mince with onion, rice, herbs and turmeric.
• Add 1 1/2 tsp salt and pepper to taste.
• Divide mixture into 18 portions.
• spread a cabbage leaf flat on the work surface and place one filling portion on the base of the leaf.
• Roll once, fold in the sides and roll up into a firm package.
• Repeat with remaining ingredients.
• Line a heavy pan with cabbage trimmings or a well washed outer leaf.
• Pack rolls in close together in layers.
• Add 1 cup cold water and invert a heavy plate over the rolls.
• cover, bring to a simmer and cook gently for 45 minutes.
• Blend sugar and vinegar and add to pan.
• tilt pan to blend liquids.
• Cover and cook for a further 30 minutes.
• Serve with chelou or flat bread.

BEST STUFFED CABBAGE ROLLS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Stir in 4 teaspoons salt. Remove loose, outer leaves from the cabbage and place in the boiling water for 1 minute. Remove from the water and set aside.
• Remove core from the cabbage and carefully place the head in the boiling water. Cook for 5 minutes, removing the outer leaves one at a time as they loosen every minute. Set aside 12 large leaves and reserve inner portion of the cabbage for another use.
• Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Set aside 2 tablespoons minced onion for cabbage rolls; add remaining onion to the hot oil. Cook, stirring often, until translucent, about 2 minutes. Stir in tomato sauce, undrained diced tomatoes, water, vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon salt; bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and cook for 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Prepare cabbage rolls: Mix sirloin, rice, garlic, reserved minced onion, remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, remaining pepper, and allspice together in a bowl until well combined.
• Place a softened cabbage leaf on a cutting board and remove the bottom, tough portion of the stem. Place about 3 tablespoons meat filling into the center of the leaf. Fold the sides inward and roll the leaf up tightly, like a burrito or spring roll. Repeat with remaining leaves and filling.
• Pour 1 cup tomato sauce mixture in a bottom of a 9x13-inch or 11x7-inch baking dish. Place cabbage rolls, seam-side down, in the baking dish and pour remaining sauce on top. Cover tightly with foil.
• Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour. Lightly squeeze a wedge of lemon over each serving and garnish with parsley.