Cranberry-Apple Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
Elevate your holiday table with these delightful Cranberry-Apple Stuffed Cabbage Rolls, a unique fusion of Jewish and American culinary traditions inspired by Joan Nathan. Perfect for Thanksgiving or Sukkot, these tender cabbage rolls are filled with a savory mixture of beef, rice, and aromatic spices, complemented by a tangy cranberry and apple sauce. The dish brings warmth and comfort, making it an ideal centerpiece for festive gatherings. Best of all, it can be prepared in advance, allowing the flavors to deepen overnight.
8
Servings
425
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
jellied cranberry sauce
16 ounces (canned)
tomato sauce
16 ounces (canned)
water
1 1/2 cups (combined with other ingredients)
lemon juice
to taste (freshly squeezed)
brown sugar
1/4 cup (packed)
raisins
1/2 cup (uncooked)
fresh cranberries
1/2 cup (whole)
apple
1 (peeled, cored, and diced)
medium head of cabbage
1 (cored)
ground beef
2 lbs (raw)
uncooked rice
1/2 cup (not rinsed)
salt
to taste (to season)
fresh ground pepper
to taste (to season)
large egg
1 (beaten)
medium onion
1 (grated)
ketchup
4 tablespoons (for filling)
Instructions
1
In a medium saucepan, combine the jellied cranberry sauce, tomato sauce, 1 cup of water, lemon juice, and brown sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat.
2
Once boiling, add in the raisins and fresh cranberries. Peel, core, and dice the apple, then stir it into the simmering sauce. Let it simmer on low heat for about 5 minutes.
3
While the sauce is simmering, prepare the cabbage. Core the cabbage and place it in a large pot filled with boiling water, ensuring the cabbage is fully submerged. Cover and simmer for about 10 minutes or until the leaves begin to wilt.
4
Carefully drain the cabbage and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process. If preferred, you can freeze the cored cabbage for several days prior, defrosting it 24 hours before use to achieve a similar wilting effect.
5
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, uncooked rice, salt, pepper, beaten egg, grated onion, 1/2 cup of water, and ketchup. Mix everything thoroughly with your hands until well blended.
6
Remove the outer leaves of the cabbage. Trim down the ribs of the leaves to make them easier to roll. Line a large flameproof casserole dish with the outer leaves.
7
Take one inner leaf and place it facedown on a board. Spoon 1 to 2 tablespoons of the beef filling onto the bottom of the leaf. Fold the sides over the filling, followed by the top and bottom, to create a neat bundle. Place the seam side down in the lined casserole. Repeat the process until all leaves and filling are used.
8
Once all the rolls are in the casserole dish, pour the prepared cranberry-apple sauce over them, ensuring they are evenly covered. Cover the dish and let it simmer on the stove or in the oven for about 2 hours on low heat.
9
After 2 hours, if you want a crispy finish, preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C) and bake the stuffed cabbage rolls uncovered for an additional 30 minutes.
10
For best results, prepare this dish a day in advance. It tastes even better after the flavors have had time to meld overnight. Feel free to double the recipe and freeze a portion for unexpected guests.
Nutrition Information
19
Fat
55
Carbs
16
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the inspiration for these Cranberry-Apple Stuffed Cabbage Rolls?
This dish is a unique fusion of Jewish and American culinary traditions, inspired by the cooking of Joan Nathan.
Which holidays are best for serving this dish?
These cabbage rolls are ideal centerpieces for festive gatherings like Thanksgiving or Sukkot.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes 8 servings.
Can I prepare this recipe in advance?
Yes, it is recommended to prepare this dish a day in advance as the flavors meld and deepen overnight.
What type of cabbage is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for one medium head of cabbage, which is cored before preparation.
How do you soften the cabbage leaves for rolling?
You can core the cabbage and simmer it in boiling water for 10 minutes, or freeze it for several days and defrost it 24 hours before use.
Is the rice cooked before being added to the meat?
No, the recipe uses 1/2 cup of uncooked rice which cooks inside the cabbage rolls during the simmering process.
What ingredients make up the sauce?
The sauce consists of jellied cranberry sauce, tomato sauce, water, lemon juice, brown sugar, raisins, fresh cranberries, and diced apple.
How long should the stuffed cabbage rolls simmer?
The rolls should simmer on the stove or in the oven for about 2 hours on low heat.
How can I get a crispy finish on the cabbage rolls?
After simmering, you can bake the rolls uncovered at 300°F (150°C) for an additional 30 minutes.
Is this recipe freezer-friendly?
Yes, you can double the recipe and freeze a portion for future use.
What is the calorie count for one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 425 calories.
How much protein is in each serving?
There are 16 grams of protein per serving.
How much fat is in one serving?
Each serving contains 19 grams of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 55 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What kind of meat is used in the filling?
The filling uses 2 lbs of raw ground beef.
How is the apple prepared for the sauce?
The apple should be peeled, cored, and diced before being added to the simmering sauce.
What do I do with the outer cabbage leaves?
The outer leaves are used to line the bottom of the flameproof casserole dish before adding the rolls.
Should I rinse the rice before mixing it with the beef?
No, the recipe specifies using 1/2 cup of uncooked, unrinsed rice.
How do you prepare the cabbage ribs?
You should trim down the ribs of the leaves to make them easier and more flexible to roll.
Is there egg in the meat mixture?
Yes, one large beaten egg is used as a binder for the meat filling.
What size onion is required?
One medium onion, grated, is mixed into the ground beef filling.
Does the filling contain ketchup?
Yes, 4 tablespoons of ketchup are added to the meat mixture.
What type of cranberry sauce is used for the base?
A 16-ounce can of jellied cranberry sauce is used for the sauce.
How much lemon juice is needed?
Freshly squeezed lemon juice should be added to the sauce to taste.
What provides the sweetness in the sauce?
The sweetness comes from 1/4 cup of packed brown sugar, jellied cranberry sauce, raisins, and apple.
How much filling goes into each cabbage leaf?
You should place 1 to 2 tablespoons of the beef filling onto the bottom of each leaf.
What is the order of folding when rolling the cabbage?
Fold the sides over the filling first, then roll from the top and bottom to create a neat bundle.
How should the rolls be placed in the dish?
Place the cabbage rolls seam side down in the lined casserole dish.
Is tomato sauce used in this recipe?
Yes, a 16-ounce can of tomato sauce is combined with the cranberry sauce for the base.