Golubtsy Russian Cabbage Rolls Recipes

CABBAGE ROLLS "GOLUBTSI"

Steps:

• Freeze the cabbages 3 days before you need it. The night before defrost cabbage and keep them in the fridge until you are ready.
• Cook rice in plenty water the same way you would pasta until al dente for approximately 5 minutes after the water boils. It shouldn't be too soft. Drain and set aside.
• In a frying pan heat olive oil and cook onions over low heat for 7-10 minutes until tender.
• Grate carrots. In a large bowl combine beef, pork, parsley, onions, carrots, rice, salt and pepper.
• In a medium bowl whisk together stock, crushed tomatoes and creme fraiche, salt and pepper. Set aside.
• Place your head of cabbage on a cutting board, cut off the bottom and pull the leaves away from the stalk. Repeat with the second head of cabbage.
• Preheat your oven to 350F/180C.
• Clear your work space, so all ingredients are within reach. Take a cabbage leaf and cut the rib down, so it's not too thick. Put 2 tbsp of filling at the bottom of the wide part of a leaf (see picture above) and roll it like a burrito, tucking sides in. Your cabbage rolls will vary in size slightly depending on the size of cabbage leaves. You will have approximately 30-32 cabbage rolls.
• Pour a cup of the sauce on the bottom of your cast iron casserole or any other heavy bottom casserole and start stacking your cabbage rolls. Half way through add a couple of bay leaves and 1/3 of the sauce and continue stacking until all cabbage rolls are gone.
• Pour the remaining sauce over cabbage rolls, cover with a lid and bake in the oven for 1 hour. Then take the lid off and bake for 30 more minutes. Serve with additional sour cream or creme fraiche and fresh herbs like dill and parsley.

GOLUBTSY (RUSSIAN CABBAGE ROLLS)

Steps:

• Soak the prunes and raisins in lukewarm water for 30 minutes.
• Separate the cabbage leaves, blanch in a little warm water, drain and leave to cool.
• Mix the ground meats with the rice, salt, and pepper.
• Place 4 tbsp of the mixture on each cabbage leaf, roll up and tie with kitchen string. Fry each cabbage roll on all sides in the butter. Place the rolls in a flameproof dish. Remove string.
• Beat 1 cup of the sour cream with the flour, and add with the raisins and prunes to the pan juices, boil briefly, and pour over the rolls.
• Cover and simmer for 35 minutes.
• Mix remaining sour cream and dill. Serve with cabbage rolls.

RUSSIAN CABBAGE ROLLS (GOLUBTSI)

Steps:

• Make 4 large slits around the core of the cabbage. Submerge cabbage stem side down in boiling water. Cook on medium heat until cabbage is bendable. Remove. cut large leaves in half, set aside. Combine all ingredients; mix well (Exclude the mustard and horseradish sauces if spice isn't your way of life). Place 1 tablespoon mixture in each leaf and roll up, set into a 12x7x2 inch baking pan or large casserole dish.
• Combine soup and water in pan, bring to a boil.
• Add remaining ingredients, cook over medium heat until slightly thickened.
• Pour sauce over rolls.
• Bake in a 375 oven for 1 hour or until light to medium brown and gravy has thickened.
• Cool slightly and serve with a tossed salad and dinner rolls.
• *Fresh ginger may be used to substitute for the powder

GOLUBTSY (RUSSIAN STUFFED CABBAGE ROLLS)

Steps:

• 1. To cook the rice for the meat filling, place 1/2 cup of rice in a fine-mesh sieve and rinse under cold running water until the water runs clear. Drain well. Bring the rice, pinch of salt and 1 cup of water to boil in a small or medium saucepan over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer until rice is almost done, about 10 minutes. Allow to cool slightly.
• 2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• 3. To make the meat filling, heat the oil or butter in a frying pan over medium-low heat. Add the onion and fry until soft, about 7 minutes. Place in a bowl with the beef and remaining filling ingredients. Mix well to combine.
• 4. Place cored cabbage in a large pot of boiling salted water. Cook just long enough to soften leaves, about 10 - 15 minutes. Drain in a colander and cool under cold running water. Carefully remove the leaves.
• 5. Cut the thick ribs from the larger leaves, then halve the leaves; keep the smaller leaves whole. You will need 14-16 leaves. Use extra leaves and trimmings to line a deep ovenproof pot.
• 6. To make the rolls, place a generous tablespoon of meat filling at the base of each leaf, roll one turn and tuck in sides to contain the filling. Roll firmly to the end of the leaf. Repeat for each roll.
• 7. In a saucepan over high heat, bring the stock and tomato sauce to a boil. Add the garlic, lemon juice, and salt to taste. Cook for one more minute.
• 8. Arrange the rolls in a large ovenproof pan, pouring the sauce over the top. Cover and bring to a boil. Place in the oven for about 45-50 minutes.
• 9. Serve hot, with a dollop of yogurt of sour cream.