Vegan cabbage rolls in sweet pepper sauce

Stuffed cabbage rolls in sweet pepper sauce

Stuffed cabbage rolls are a symbol of culinary tradition, a dish that has managed to bring families and friends together around the table. Every housewife has her unique recipe, full of stories and tricks passed down through generations. Today, I will share my favorite recipe for vegan stuffed cabbage rolls, made with love and simple yet delicious ingredients.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total time: 2 hours
Number of servings: 6-8

Ingredients

- 1 cup of round rice (about 200 g)
- 2 cups of grated carrots (about 300 g)
- 3-4 cups of diced onions (about 600 g)
- 2 cups of grated cabbage (about 300 g)
- 80 ml of oil (preferably sunflower oil)
- 2-3 tablespoons of concentrated tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon of sugar
- 2 tablespoons of water (to dissolve the tomato paste)
- A bunch of fresh dill or a little dried lovage
- Salt (to taste)
- Curry (optional)
- Ground black pepper (to taste)
- Bay leaves (2-3 leaves)
- One large cabbage (for leaves)
- Sweet peppers (for filling)

Filling preparation

1. Preparing the vegetables: Start by dicing the onions. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat and add the onions. Sauté them until golden and translucent, about 8-10 minutes. Add the grated carrots and continue to sauté for another 4-5 minutes. This is the aromatic base of your filling.

2. Adding the tomato paste: Dissolve the tomato paste in the 2 tablespoons of water and add it to the skillet. Sprinkle in a teaspoon of sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes. Mix well and let it simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Including the rice and cabbage: In a large bowl, combine the well-washed rice, grated cabbage, and the sautéed vegetable mixture. Add the chopped dill, salt, curry, and pepper to taste. Make sure to mix all the ingredients well until the oil is visible in the filling to avoid a dry filling.

Preparing the cabbage leaves

1. Fresh cabbage leaves: Choose a large cabbage and detach the leaves. You can blanch the leaves in boiling water for 2-3 minutes to soften them, or you can use pickled leaves, rinsing them to remove excess salt.

2. Alternative method: If preferred, you can freeze the fresh cabbage leaves. Select the leaves, cut the larger ones, and place them in the freezer. After thawing, they will soften and be easy to shape.

Wrapping the cabbage rolls

1. Forming the rolls: On each cabbage leaf, place a tablespoon of the prepared filling and wrap the leaf, ensuring that the filling is well sealed to prevent leakage during cooking.

2. Arranging the rolls: Place the cabbage rolls in a pot or a baking dish, putting a flat plate at the bottom to protect them from burning. Between the rolls, add a few bay leaves for extra flavor.

Cooking the cabbage rolls

1. Adding water: Pour water over the rolls, enough to cover them by two fingers. Add salt and, if you desire a sour taste, dissolve a little lemon salt in the water.

2. Boiling: Cover the pot with a lid and let the rolls simmer on low heat for about an hour. Then, add the pepper sauce.

Preparing the pepper sauce

1. Pepper sauce: Clean the peppers from seeds and cut them into pieces. In a skillet, sauté the diced onions until golden, then add the chopped peppers. Sauté for 4-5 minutes, adding a little sugar and salt for flavor.

2. Finalizing the rolls: After an hour of boiling, pour the pepper sauce over the rolls and let them cook for another 30 minutes. Ensure the rolls are covered and the sauce is well integrated.

Useful tips

- Variations: You can add other vegetables to the filling, such as zucchini or eggplant, for a different flavor. You can also experiment with spices, adding cumin or sweet paprika.
- Serving: The rolls can be served with vegan sour cream or polenta. A cabbage salad or pickles on the side will complement the meal perfectly.
- Storage: The rolls store well in the fridge and can be reheated without issues. They can also be frozen, making them an excellent choice for festive meals.

Nutritional benefits

Vegan stuffed cabbage rolls are an excellent source of fiber due to the rice and vegetables, while pickled cabbage provides probiotics beneficial for digestion. Sunflower oil offers healthy fats, and spices like pepper and curry have anti-inflammatory effects.

Frequently asked questions

1. Can I use long-grain rice?
Although the recipe recommends round rice, you can use long-grain rice, but ensure it is cooked properly to avoid being hard.

2. Can the rolls be cooked in advance?
Yes, the rolls can be prepared a day in advance and stored in the fridge. Their flavor intensifies after sitting.

3. How can I achieve less sour cabbage rolls?
For a less sour taste, avoid adding lemon salt to the boiling water and opt for sweet tomato sauce.

Vegan stuffed cabbage rolls in sweet pepper sauce are not just a traditional dish but also a healthy choice, full of flavor and color. Whether you prepare them for a festive meal or an ordinary dinner, these rolls will surely bring a smile to the faces of your loved ones. Enjoy your meal!

 Ingredients: a glass of round rice 2 glasses of grated carrot 3-4 glasses of diced onion 2 glasses of grated cabbage 80 ml of oil 2-3 tablespoons of concentrated tomato paste a teaspoon of sugar and 2 tablespoons of water to dissolve the tomato paste a bunch of fresh dill or a little lovage or dried salt curry ground black pepper bay leaf a cabbage for leaves sweet peppers for stuffing

 Tags:  cabbage rolls rice pepper cabbage leaf