Recipe

European Cabbage Rolls (holishkes) Recipe

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Ingredients

1/2 c raw rice .
1/2 c grated onions .
1 (28 oz) can Italian plum tomatoes (796 mL) .
salt & pepper .
2 tsps prepared mustard .
THE FILLING .
1/2 c lemon juice .
1/2 c water .
1/4 c ketchup .
1 garlic clove, minced .
1 c brown sugar .
1 tsp worcestershire sauce .
SWEET AND SOUR SAUCE .
2 lbs lean ground meat (use beef, veal or lamb or a mixture) .
2 (11 oz) cans tomato sauce & mushrooms (312 mL)

Directions

Step #1 For the filling: In a large mixing bowl, mix all the filling ingredients.
Step #2 Place 1 heaping tbsps in center of each leaf, folding in end & sides & rolling up to form a snug roll.
Step #3 Continue till all filling & leaves are used.
Step #4 Shred smaller remaining leaves.
Step #5 For the sweet & sour sauce mix ingredients in small bowl.
Step #6 If you can't find mushroom tomato sauce, then use tomato sauce.
Step #7 In large pot or roasting pan, layer shredded cabbage (any leaves not suitable for filling), place stuffed cabbage rolls & sauce on top of shredded cabbage.
Step #8 Continue till all are in pot.
Step #9 Simmer for 2 hrs on stove top tightly covered, or cook in preheated 275 oven for 2 hrs.
Step #10 Yield: 30 Cabbage Rolls.
Step #11 VARIATIONS:.
Step #12 THE MEATLESS WAY: Substitute 3 c cooked mixed beans, peas & lentils as you like.
Step #13 ( A good combination is cooked garbanzos (chickpeas) & brown lentils).
Step #14 Use 1 c raw rice.
Step #15 Crush them as you mix with other ingredients.
Step #16 Continue as above.
Step #17 Spice up to taste.
Step #18 HUNGARIAN LAYERED CABBAGE: Use SAVOY cabbage for this dish as it softens when cooked.
Step #19 In a baking pan layer cabbage leaves, meat filling, & sauce, ending with sauce on top.
Step #20 Bake in preheated 350°F oven for 1 hr.
Step #21 Keep warm till serving, cut in squares to serve.
Step #22 THE MEATLESS WAY: Try this same method as for Hungarian Layered Cabbage using grated raw potatoes instead of meat filling.
Step #23 Spice up with finely minced browned onions, salt & pepper.
Step #24 Top casserole with sauce.
Step #25 Bake 1 hr.
Step #26 MIDDLE EAST CABBAGE ROLLS: Use ground lamb, COOKED rice, & season this with allspice & cinnamon.
Step #27 Layer rolls with lemon juice flavored chicken broth instead of Sweet & Sour Sauce.
Step #28 Cook as in main recipe.
Enjoy the European Cabbage Rolls (Holishkes) recipe