Skip to main content

WHAT'S COOKING: MOM'S STUFFED CABBAGE



It is a tradition for my Jewish Mom to make Stuffed Cabbage on Passover and Hanukkah.

It's a labor of love, patience and practice.  It's a tradition which was passed on to her by her ancestors who came all the way from Russia.

This recipe makes approximately 24-30 rolls


You’ll need:

2 heads of cabbage – wash, core, and freeze in plastic bag-do this ahead of time.
2 ½  To 3 lbs. of ground meat (80% lean)
¼ cup Minute Rice, not cooked
2 eggs, beaten
 8 oz. can of tomato sauce and an ounce of water
Sprinkle of onion and garlic powder-not too much

Sauce

10 oz. jar of Saucy Susan (duck sauce). This is the secret ingredient. Do not leave this out!

You’ll need:
2 cans of diced petite cut tomatoes, plain
4 cans of Campbell’s tomato soup
Brown sugar – start with ½ cup
½ of a fresh lemon, or bottled lemon juice
Sprinkle of Kosher salt

How to assemble:

Keep paper towel on hand for drying of cabbage leaves.


Put the head of cabbage in a large colander and let hot water run on it.




Gently separate the cabbage leaves. Begin by cutting from the core of the cabbage using a small paring knife. Drain leaves on paper towel.

Note: Keep the large top leaves aside for the cooking process

When the leaves are ready to be stuffed, put ground beef in cabbage close to core end.



Roll up from core end, then fold in sides of cabbage and then roll to the top. (It will look like a blintz). If you put too much meat in the roll , it will open.  If that happens, start over.

Do not add rolled leaves to the pot until all the leaves are all rolled.


Note: It is important to remember that if the leaves do not roll easily, immerse them in a pot of boiling water. This will soften the cabbage and make it easier to roll.


Put the large leaves in the bottom of a deep pot.  This acts as a bed for the rolls to cook on.  Sometimes the cabbage burns on the bottom of the pan, this keeps your rolls safe.


How To Cook

Layer the rolls until they are all in the pot.

Add all of the sauce ingredients starting with the soup, then tomatoes, and so on.

Distribute to the bottom of the pot.

Place left over cabbage leaves on top of cabbage rolls, and then cover your pot.

Cook in a very low flame for at least three (3) hours.

Adjust the seasoning as it cooks.

Note: If you use 2 lbs. of meat and one cabbage, you’ll need
1 cans of tomato soup
1 can of  diced tomatoe
8 oz can of tomato sauce –
½ jar of Saucy Susan (duck sauce)

Always taste as it cooks. You may have to add more lemon juice or brown sugar or Saucy Susan, to get the sweet and sour taste of your preference.



Note:  If you freeze the cooked rolls, freeze in single layer only covering each layer with sauce!


This freezes very well.  You can make it one month in advance, but make sure when you freeze it, it is covered well. I use a covered aluminum pan and then wrap the pan in another layer of aluminum foil.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Completed my first 16 Week IsaBody Challenge: Believe You Have A Purpose

My family is what matters most to me.  I’m 51 and a mother of 4 (ages 14 – 26). I wanted to be healthier, more active and stronger not just for me, but for the people I love.  I wanted to set an example for my family that we each possess the tools to master our wellness and vitality. I've always been petite except when I was pregnant ( when I gained an average of 50 pounds per pregnancy - 4 times!) Over the years I had tried various diet and exercise regimens, and I did enjoy a degree of success, but the results were not to the level I hoped for, and they were somewhat short lived.   Achieving stable, long-lasting results proved stubbornly elusive.    Then when I hit menopause everything became more difficult.    My body stopped cooperating altogether, and I was constantly grumpy. My waist and hips expanded and I found myself napping in the afternoons.    I started to accept the idea that there would be this new, less vibrant version of me. I just completed my P

Immigration and Family: Will my mom ever get to see my daughter walk down the aisle

Last year when my father passed away in the Philippines, I went home and took some time to visit the U.S. Embassy in Manila to ask what the options are for my mother to return to the U.S. The consul reminded me of the 10-year travel ban. That on or after November 8, 2015 — not earlier – or 10 years after my mom, was deported in 2005 for overstaying her visa, I can email the U.S. Embassy and inquire about my mother’s approved petition. I asked if I need to file another petition, and she informed me I didn’t have to. I asked if I could… and she stopped me and said to ask everything on or after November 8, 2015. This is where I am, and where my thoughts are drifting as I celebrate this month my 16th American birthday. I am counting the months, the weeks and the days. My daughter is getting married in January 2016 and I would love to have my entire family, especially my mother, to be here when that momentous occasion happens.

SPICE-up a young child's development: social, physical, intellectual, creative and emotional

Children are the precious gems of a family. When they’re young and innocent, they are like sponges that willingly and quickly absorb any knowledge and emotion. That’s why at an early age, we encourage our children to read, be creative, be happy and feed their curiosity. With all the technology and instant gratification that children get from playing video or computer games, asking a child to read a good book has been a challenge for some parents .     “Your children are not your children.       They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.       They come through you but not from you,       And though they are with you, and yet they belong not to you.       You may give them your love but not your thoughts,        For they have their own thoughts.        You may house their bodies but not their souls,        For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,        which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.” -                     Kahlil Gibr

Helping others surpass their goals and expectations

"It's not about the end goal. It's who you become by consistently pushing to the edge of your limits." - Robin Sharma Do you ever wonder why you stumble on new things?  Do you ever wonder why unsuspecting strangers cross your path? Do you ever wonder why your mind takes you to a direction you didn't think exist? I was walking to StarBucks to meet my husband when I noticed a sign...

Still shaky, skidded in snow, but so blessed my guardian angels are looking after me!

"Never again wonder, what to be thankful for..."   - Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life It’s yet another snowy day in New Jersey. Beautiful, yes but dangerous! In line with my goal for this month is to get back on schedule. I got up around 4am to get my 15yo ready for his Model United Nations conference. (Thankful that our neighbor offered to drive him to school by 5:30am ) I got my 9yo ready for school and I'm thankful that my other neighbor offered to drive him to school. I then drove my husband to the train station to Manhattan. I decided to stop by the Community Center and decided to run a fast 5K on the treadmill. I was 1 mile short because I was so sweaty and hot. (Note to self: dress lightly next time) While cooling down inside the car, I read Day 14’s chapter of Rick Warren's the “Purpose Driven Life” book. I felt really good because it just reminded me that there is always something to be thankful for no matter how awful yo