Making Savoy Cabbage Rolls

On Thursday, I had the entire house to myself.  Nuno went to work and my girls went to school.  I was home alone and didn't have a whole lot to do around the house. On leisurely days like these, there's nothing I enjoy more than spending the day preparing a special dinner.  I decided to have a go at making cabbage rolls.  I had eaten them before, but this was my very first time making them. 

 First, I made my homemade tomato sauce, using whole tomatoes.  I sauteed one chopped onion and minced garlic cloves in extra virgin olive oil.  Next, I added two cans of whole tomatoes, basil leaves, salt and pepper, and simmered the sauce for one hour.  Once cooled, I pulsed the sauce in my food processor until smooth and set it aside for later.

 

 I used a savoy cabbage (the inspiration for this dish) that I had in the refrigerator and removed the base of the core.  I placed it in a pot of simmering water and removed the leaves, one by one, as they came apart from the core.  I set aside twelve of the prettiest leaves to cool. 

 Next, I prepared the filling.  I mixed together 1 1/2 pounds of lean ground beef, 1 cup of previously cooked basmati rice, sauteed onion and garlic, salt, pepper, milk, egg, chopped parsley and worcestershire sauce.  I divided the mixture into twelve equal portions.

 I added about one cup of tomato sauce to the bottom of my casserole dish and placed the twelve cabbage rolls inside and completely covered them with approximately three more cups of tomato sauce.  I placed the cabbage rolls in a 350 degree F oven for one hour.  For the finishing touch, I sprinkled on some freshly grated parmesan cheese.  They turned out delicious and I wanted to share my experience with you.

I wonder if cabbage rolls are a common meal at your house?  If so, how do you prepare them?  Similar to mine? Or completely different?  I would love to know! 

I hope you are all enjoying the weekend so far.  It has been snowing here for the past couple of days.   I think we've had enough!   Thankfully, it has stopped (for now).   Mr. Groundhog was definitely mistaken this year.  I don't see an early Spring in sight! 

I hope that you are smiling no matter where you are or what the weather!  Thank you for stopping by! xo