Best 2 Middle Eastern Cabbage Rolls Recipes

Embark on a culinary journey through the vibrant flavors of the Middle East with our exploration of the best cabbage roll recipes. Discover the secrets to creating mouthwatering stuffed cabbage rolls, a staple dish that embodies the region's rich culinary heritage. From the aromatic blend of herbs and spices to the tender texture of the cabbage leaves, each bite promises a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. Whether you prefer a hearty meat-filled version or a vegetarian delight, our comprehensive guide will lead you to the perfect recipe that suits your preferences.

Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!

MIDDLE EASTERN CABBAGE ROLLS

Middle Eastern Cabbage Rolls image

This is a Middle Eastern or Arabic version of cabbage rolls stuffed with rice, almonds, and spices and served with a mint-flavored yogurt sauce.

Provided by Afiyet_olson

Categories World Cuisine Recipes Middle Eastern Lebanese

Time 57m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 16

Ingredients

6 leaves cabbage
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons chopped almonds
2 tablespoons finely chopped golden raisins
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
½ teaspoon cumin seeds, coarsely ground
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 cups cooked rice
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup chicken broth, warmed
¾ cup plain yogurt
1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
1 pinch ground allspice

Steps:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a roasting pan.
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add cabbage leaves and cook uncovered until softened, about 2 minutes. Drain in a colander and immediately immerse in ice water for several minutes to stop the cooking process. Drain. Cut off the rough end of the central stems.
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook onion until soft and translucent, 3 to 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in tomato paste, almonds, and golden raisins; cook and stir for 2 minutes. Season with parsley, cumin, and ground cinnamon. Mix in cooked rice and season with salt and pepper.
Spoon a small amount of rice mixture into the center of each cabbage leaf. Fold sides over the filling and roll cabbage leaf up until the rice is encased. Repeat with remaining leaves and filling. Place the stuffed cabbage rolls in the roasting pan, seam-side down. Pour warm chicken broth over cabbage rolls.
Bake in the preheated oven until flavors are well combined, about 25 minutes.
Stir yogurt, mint, allspice, salt, and pepper together in a bowl. Refrigerate while cabbage rolls are cooking. Serve with the hot cabbage rolls.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 144.4 calories, Carbohydrate 24.4 g, Cholesterol 2.8 mg, Fat 3.4 g, Fiber 1.8 g, Protein 4.5 g, SaturatedFat 0.7 g, Sodium 290.8 mg, Sugar 6.4 g

MIDDLE EASTERN STUFFED CABBAGE ROLLS

MIDDLE EASTERN STUFFED CABBAGE ROLLS image

Categories turkey Braise

Yield 18-20

Number Of Ingredients 17

Ingredients

Filling:
2-1/2 lbs. lean ground dark meat turkey (or beef)
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup uncooked jasmine rice or other white rice
1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
1 tsp minced garlic
1-1/2 tsp allspice
1-1/2 tsp cinnamon
salt & pepper to taste
1/3 cup chopped scallions
1/2 cup golden raisins
Sauce:
1 26-ounce jar marinara sauce
2/3 cup cider vinegar
2/3 cup light brown sugar
Cabbage:
1 large head or two smaller heads Nappa or Savoy cabbage (enough to yield 18-20 large outer leaves)

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350. Combine all filling ingredients in large bowl, kneading with your hands. Carefully remove 18-20 of the largest outer leaves of the cabbage, and blanch for a few seconds in very hot or boiling water. Rinse & drain & slice off the thick spine of the leaf with a paring knife, without cutting through the leaf. Shred some of the remaining leaves, and line the bottom of a 6 quart Dutch oven with them. Lay the cabbage leaves out flat on a tea towel, and place about an egg-sized portion of filling at the wide end. Roll up and secure by tying around the middle with kitchen twine. Place them in the Dutch oven with the seam side of cabbage down. You should be able to place them in two layers. Combine sauce ingredients and pour over the cabbage rolls. Bring to the boiling point on top of stove, then cover and bake in 350 degree oven for 90 minutes. During the baking time, remove lid to spoon sauce over the top layer a few times. Remove kitchen twine and serve over a bed of egg noodles, rice, or with mashed potatoes.

Tips:

Choose the right cabbage: Use a large, firm head of cabbage with tightly packed leaves. Savoy cabbage or Napa cabbage are good options.
Prepare the cabbage leaves properly: Blanch the cabbage leaves in boiling water for a few minutes to soften them and make them pliable.
Use a flavorful filling: The filling is what makes these cabbage rolls so delicious, so don't skimp on the ingredients. Use a combination of ground beef, lamb, or pork, rice, vegetables, and herbs.
Roll the cabbage rolls tightly: This will help to keep the filling inside the rolls and prevent them from falling apart during cooking.
Cook the cabbage rolls in a flavorful sauce: The sauce will add moisture and flavor to the rolls. Use a tomato-based sauce, a yogurt-based sauce, or a broth-based sauce.
Serve the cabbage rolls warm: Cabbage rolls are best served warm, so make sure to reheat them before serving if you're making them ahead of time.

Conclusion:

Middle Eastern cabbage rolls are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. They're perfect for a weeknight meal or a special occasion, and they can be made ahead of time and reheated, making them a great option for busy families. With so many different variations on the recipe, you're sure to find a version of cabbage rolls that you'll love.