Lenten stuffed cabbage rolls, flavored with mint

Lenten stuffed cabbage rolls with mint: a delicious and aromatic recipe

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

Discover a simple and tasty recipe for lentil stuffed cabbage rolls, flavored with mint, that will bring a touch of novelty to your kitchen. This dish is perfect for fasting periods, but also for any occasion when you want to impress with a healthy and flavorful main course.

Ingredients:
- 250 g of rice
- 2 large onions
- 4 carrots
- 1 celery
- 1 large pickled cabbage
- 1 parsnip
- 2 parsley roots
- 1 cup of oil (preferably olive oil)
- salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon of tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon of ground mint
- 1 teaspoon of thyme

Preparation:

1. Preparing the rice: Start by washing the rice under a stream of cold water to remove the starch. Let it soak in cold water for 15-20 minutes while you prepare the vegetables. This step will help the rice absorb the flavors better when cooked.

2. The vegetables: Chop the onions finely and sauté them in a large pan with 2-3 tablespoons of oil and 1-2 tablespoons of water. Add a pinch of salt to help soften the onion. When the onion becomes translucent, add the carrots, celery, parsnip, and parsley, all diced. Continue to sauté the vegetables for 10-15 minutes over medium heat, stirring occasionally.

3. Combining the ingredients: After the vegetables have softened, add the drained rice and mix well, leaving everything on the heat for 5 minutes. This will help the rice absorb the flavors of the vegetables. Add the tomato paste, ground mint, and thyme, mixing everything well. Cook the mixture on low heat for 5 minutes for the flavors to blend.

4. Filling the cabbage rolls: Carefully unfold the pickled cabbage, looking for larger, intact leaves. Take a cabbage leaf and place a tablespoon of the rice and vegetable mixture in the middle. Wrap the roll, folding in the sides and rolling tightly. Repeat the process until you finish all the ingredients.

5. Cooking the cabbage rolls: Arrange the rolls in a large pot, layered. You can add a few cabbage leaves between layers for extra flavor. Cover the rolls with water (or a mixture of water and tomato juice for a more intense taste) and let them simmer on low heat for about 2 hours. Check the water level occasionally, adding more if necessary.

6. Serving: Serve the cabbage rolls hot, garnished with a little chopped fresh mint or dill, alongside a slice of fresh bread or polenta. These lentil rolls can also be enjoyed the next day when the flavors intensify even more.

Useful tips:
- For a more intense flavor, you can add a few peppercorns or a bay leaf during cooking.
- If you prefer a sour taste, you can add a few tablespoons of sauerkraut juice to the water.
- A delicious variation is to replace the rice with quinoa or add chopped mushrooms.

Enjoy this recipe for lentil stuffed cabbage rolls with mint, which will not only satisfy your taste buds but also bring a touch of innovation to your meals!

 Ingredients: 250 g of rice, two onions, four carrots, one celery, one pickled cabbage, one parsnip, two parsley roots, one cup of oil, salt, one tablespoon of broth, ground mint, thyme.