Finnish Lihakaalilaatikko - Meat and Cabbage Casserole

Julesong's Note:

Absolutely delicious! It's what I make when I want creamy cabbage rolls, but is much easier to make. Good for potlucks! Adapted from a recipe from "The Finnish Cookbook" by Beatrice A. Ojakangas.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 15 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 1 small cabbage , shredded
• ¼ cup minced onion
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons dark corn syrup or 2 tablespoons molasses
• 2 teaspoons salt
• white pepper , to taste
• ¼ teaspoon ground marjoram
• ¼ teaspoon allspice
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• ½ cup milk
• 2 eggs , beaten
• 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a large pot, simmer the cabbage in boiling water to cover until tender-crisp, about 5 to 7 minutes; drain.
3. Remove from heat and add the onion, butter, syrup, salt, white pepper, marjoram, allspice, and nutmeg and stir well to combine.
4. In another bowl, mix together the ground beef, bread crumbs, milk, and eggs.
5. Butter a 2-quart casserole dish.
6. Place a layer of the cabbage mixture into the dish, then a layer or meat mixture; repeat until mixtures are used up, ending with the cabbage.
7. Sprinkle with the Parmesan then bake at 350 degrees F for 1 hour.
8. Let sit for 5 minutes before serving, then serve alongside lingonberries, cranberry sauce, or currant jelly.
9. Note: this is also good with 3/4 lb ground beef and 1/4 lb ground pork; you can also mix in about 1/2 cup of tomato-based pasta sauce into the cabbage mixture, if you're wanting tomato.

Reviews

[OKRaeRae]

I used a bag of coleslaw mix instead of shredding the cabbage myself, and I cooked it in the butter with the onion instead of boiling it. Also, I only had Italian breadcrumbs, so I used half those and half wheat germ. And per Steingrim's suggestion I did half beef, half pork. I left out the nutmeg because I don't like it, and I forgot the molasses. I had my doubts while it was baking after all the liberties I took, but it was a hit! My picky six year old even said it was the best meatloaf ever. So next time I make it, and there WILL be a next time, I'm going to follow the recipe a bit closer.

[karen in tbay]

This was like a twist on a meatloaf - liked it better cold the next day.

[Steingrim]

The Finnish cookbook is one I had before we married, but I hadn't had this recipe before she made it. I like it with a combination of beef and pork, and it is good with the lingonberry preserves that we get at Ikea. A good Scandinavian recipe!