Best 3 Slovak Stuffed Cabbage Recipes

SLOVAK STUFFED CABBAGE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bring a pot of water to a boil.
• Mix beef and pork together. Stir in onion, cooked rice, parsley, salt, pepper, garlic salt and 1/2 can of tomato soup. Mix well.
• Core head of cabbage, place in boiling water and boil until partly cooked. Separate leaves and trim stems. Reserve about 24 to 32 whole leaves. Cut remaining leaves and line the bottom of large roasting pan.
• Lightly pack a small handful of the meat mixture and place in the center of a cabbage leaf. Fold top part of leaf over mixture, then fold in the sides and roll until mixture is completely encased. Lay rolls on top of torn cabbage leaves in pan. Place sauerkraut evenly over rolls. Lay bacon on top of sauerkraut. Sprinkle with 1 to 2 tablespoons of sugar. Mix chopped tomatoes and soup with water and pour over rolls. Add additional water to reach top of cabbage rolls.
• Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 1 1/2 hours or until cooked through.

HALUPKI (SLOVAK STUFFED CABBAGE)

Steps:

• 1. Remove large outer leaves from cabbage and set aside. Remove core from cabbage. Place whole head in a large pot filled with boiling, salted water. Cover and cook 3 minutes, or until softened enough to pull off individual leaves. You will need about 16 -18 leaves. When leaves are cool enough to handle, use a paring knife to cut away the thick center stem from each leaf, without cutting all the way through. Chop the remaining cabbage, still reserving large outer leaves, and place it in the bottom of a large greased casserole dish or Dutch oven. Rinse rice and cook it in 1/2-cup water until water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let cool. Meanwile, saute chopped onion in butter in a medium skillet until tender, and let cool. In a large bowl, mix cooled rice, cooled onions, beef, pork, salt and pepper to taste, egg, garlic, paprika, reserved sauerkraut juices and 1/3 cup of the tomato sauce, and blend thoroughly. Don't overmix or the meat will become tough. Place about 1/2 cup of meat on each cabbage leaf. Roll away from you to encase the meat. Flip the right side of the leaf to the middle, then flip the left side. You will have something that looks like an envelope. Once again, roll away from you to create a neat little roll. Place the cabbage rolls on top of the chopped cabbage with sauerkraut and some tomato sauce in between the layers in the casserole dish or Dutch oven. Top with all the crushed tomatoes, remaining sauerkraut and tomato sauce, and a few of the reserved whole cabbage leaves. Add enough water to cover completely. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to very low, cover and simmer 3 to 4 hours. Watch carefully so stuffed cabbages don't burn. Serve with pan juices and a drizzle of sour cream, if desired, and mashed potatoes and crusty bread. Cabbage rolls freeze well before or after cooking, and can be made in a slow cooker (see your manufacturer's instructions).

HOLUBKY (SLOVAK STUFFED CABBAGE ROLLS)

Steps:

• Cover cabbage leaves with boiling water, let stand until leaves are limp (2-3 minutes); then drain.
• Fry onions in butter until translucent, then mix with garlic, rice, meat, egg, milk, and seasonings; mix well.
• In a large dutch oven, prepare zapraška (similar to roux) by melting shortening over medium heat.
• Add flour and cook, stirring constantly, until it reaches desired brownness (usually light brown or beige).
• Add a tablespoon of water and stir until smooth.
• Be very careful when making zapraška as it is very hot and can cause severe burns if it comes in contact with the skin, also avoid the steam that rises when you add the water.
• Add the tomato sauce, water, and sugar.
• Mix well and bring to a boil; allow to boil for several minutes.
• Place 2-3 tablespoons (depending on size of leaf) of meat mixture in center of each cabbage leaf; tuck in sides and roll to cover meat.
• Place, seam side down in pot with sauce.
• Cook, covered, over low heat for 2-3 hours.