Special Cabbage Rolls

Special Sarmale – A Family Delicacy

Sarmale are a traditional recipe, full of flavor, that brings the family together at the table. Each bite is an explosion of tastes, and the unmistakable aroma of meat, rice, and spices will make your mouth water. This special sarmale recipe adds a touch of refinement with a few secret ingredients, such as kaizer and sausages, which enrich every serving. Get ready to enjoy an unforgettable culinary experience!

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 2 hours
Total time: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Number of servings: 6-8

Ingredients

- 1 medium-sized pickled cabbage
- 5 sausages (preferably smoked)
- 250 g kaizer (sliced thin)
- 750 g minced pork
- 150 g bacon (cut into small cubes)
- 100-150 g rice
- 2 large onions (finely chopped)
- 1-2 cubes of Delikat (or other concentrated soup)
- Oil (or lard, according to preference)
- Salt, pepper, thyme, paprika

Necessary utensils

- Large pot for boiling rice
- Pan for sautéing onion
- Ceramic dish for baking sarmale
- Paper towels
- Spoon or spatula for mixing

Step by Step

Step 1: Preparing the Cabbage
Start by desalting the cabbage. Place it in cold water overnight. This step is essential to obtain cabbage that is not too salty. Additionally, it will be much easier to handle when wrapping the sarmale.

Step 2: Cooking the Filling
In a pan, add a little oil and sauté the onion until golden. This will add a special flavor to your filling. Once the onion is ready, add the minced pork. Sprinkle salt, pepper, and thyme, then mix well. Let everything cook for about 10 minutes.

Step 3: Preparing the Rice
In a separate pot, boil the rice with 1-2 cubes of Delikat. Rice is an essential ingredient as it absorbs the flavors from the meat and spices. After it has boiled, drain it and add it to the meat mixture. Continue mixing and add the two tablespoons of tomato paste. Let the mixture cool for a few minutes.

Step 4: Preparing the Meat and Kaizer
Cut the sausages into pieces of about 8 cm and the kaizer into thin slices. In a pan, lightly fry them to give them a more intense flavor. Once they are ready, remove them onto a paper towel to eliminate excess fat. These ingredients will enrich your sarmale with a special taste.

Step 5: Filling the Sarmale
Take the cabbage leaves and choose the largest ones for filling the sarmale. In the center of each leaf, place a slice of kaizer, a sausage, and a portion of the meat filling. Wrap the cabbage leaf tightly to form a sarmale. Make sure it is well wrapped so it doesn't come apart during cooking.

Step 6: Assembling the Dish
Grease a ceramic dish with a little oil or lard. Cut the remaining cabbage into thin strips and place them at the bottom of the dish. Arrange the sarmale in rows, and between them, you can add cubes of bacon for extra flavor. Season with paprika, pepper, and, if desired, a little thyme.

Step 7: Baking the Sarmale
Preheat the oven to 180°C. Cover the dish with a lid or aluminum foil and place it in the oven. Let the sarmale bake for about 1-1.5 hours. Check from time to time and, if necessary, add water or a mixture of water with tomato paste to keep them moist.

Step 8: Serving
Once the sarmale are ready, take them out of the oven and let them cool slightly. Serve them with a portion of steaming polenta and a spoonful of sour cream. This combination will perfectly complement the taste of these delicious sarmale.

Practical Tips

1. Ground meat: You can use a combination of pork and beef for a more complex flavor.
2. Cabbage: Make sure to use quality pickled cabbage. Cabbage that is too soft may lead to fragile sarmale that fall apart easily.
3. Spices: Play with the spices! Add dill or even a little hot pepper if you like a spicier taste.
4. Variations: Instead of sausages and kaizer, you can use chicken for a lighter version or even tofu for vegetarian sarmale.

Nutritional Benefits

Sarmale are an excellent source of protein due to the minced meat and rice. Additionally, pickled cabbage is rich in probiotics, which aid digestive health. This dish is rich in vitamins and minerals, with a moderate calorie content due to the fresh ingredients.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use fresh cabbage instead of pickled cabbage?
Yes, but you will need to boil or desalinate it before use to make it more pliable.

2. How can I store sarmale?
Sarmale can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3-4 days, or you can freeze them for later use.

3. What other dishes go well with sarmale?
Besides polenta, mashed potatoes or a beet salad can perfectly complement this dish.

4. Why is it important to let the cabbage desalinate?
This process reduces the salt in the cabbage, making it more pleasant and easier to consume.

I hope this special sarmale recipe brings you joy and beautiful memories at the table. Enjoy your meal!

 Ingredients: 1 pickled cabbage, 5 sausages, 250 g of smoked pork belly, 750 g of minced pork, 150 g of bacon, salt, pepper, thyme, tomato paste, 1-2 onions, 100-150 g of lard.

 Tags:  cabbage rolls ground meat onion rice