Lebanese Stuffed Cabbage Rolls (Printable Format)

Ground meat and rice fill tender cabbage leaves, simmered in tomato sauce and Middle Eastern spices.

# Needed Ingredients:

→ Filling

01 - 1 pound ground lamb or beef
02 - 1/2 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
03 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
04 - 1 teaspoon ground allspice
05 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
06 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
07 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
08 - 2 tablespoons pine nuts (optional)
09 - 2 tablespoons raisins (optional)

→ Cabbage

10 - 1 large head green cabbage

→ Tomato Sauce

11 - 2 cups crushed tomatoes
12 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
13 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
14 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
15 - 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
16 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice (optional)

→ Finishing

17 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or mint, for garnish

# Preparation Steps:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly combine ground meat, rice, chopped onion, allspice, cinnamon, salt, black pepper, pine nuts, and raisins if using.
02 - Carefully remove the core from the cabbage. Submerge the whole cabbage in boiling water for 3–5 minutes, removing leaves as they become pliable. Drain leaves and trim thick veins as needed.
03 - Lay a cabbage leaf flat and place a rounded tablespoon of filling near the base. Fold in the sides and roll tightly from the bottom to enclose the filling.
04 - Arrange the rolled cabbage leaves seam-side down in a large, deep pot in even layers.
05 - Blend together crushed tomatoes, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, sugar, and lemon juice if desired. Pour sauce evenly over the cabbage rolls until just covered.
06 - Cover the pot and cook over low heat for 60 to 90 minutes, or until the rice is fully tender and the cabbage is soft. Add additional water if necessary to avoid scorching.
07 - Allow the rolls to rest for 10 minutes before plating. Garnish with chopped parsley or mint and serve warm.

# Supplementary Details:

01 - Trim the thickest part of the cabbage rib for easier rolling. Leftover filling can be cooked alongside the rolls.

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