Cabbage Rolls (Holishkes)

Chef Gerard's Note:

A relatively easy to prepare dish.

• Total Time: 2 hrs
• Prep Time: 1 hrs
• Cook Time: 1 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 2 heads cabbage
• 1 1/2 lbs ground beef
• 1 ounce raw rice
• 3 ounces onions, minced
• 1 ounce carrot, grated
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 whole egg
• 2 ounces lemon juice
• 3 ounces brown sugar
• 3 ounces tomato puree
• 1 1/2 cups water

Directions:

1. Core cabbage and blanch for 12 minutes in boiling salted water.
2. Remove, cool, and separate large leaves; reserve for formula.
3. Mix beef, rice, vegetables, seasonings and eggs.
4. Blend thoroughly, but keep mixture as light as possible.
5. Scale 2 oz portions of meat mixture.
6. Place on flattened cabbage leaves, folding ends of cabbage leaves to the center and rolling securely but not too tight as the mixture will expand due to the rice.
7. Prepare 12 units.
8. Butter a baking pan and place cabbage rolls close together in the pan.
9. Combine the balance of the ingredients.
10. Add additional water to barely cover cabbage rolls, if required.
11. Cover and bake for 45 minutes at 350°F.
12. Remove cover and bake 20 more minutes.
13. Serve with 1 oz sauce.