Polish Golabki: Savory Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
Discover the heartwarming tradition of Polish Golabki, a delightful dish featuring tender cabbage leaves stuffed with a flavorful blend of ground meats, aromatic onions, and fluffy rice. Slowly baked in a rich and zesty tomato sauce, each roll is complemented by sweet sliced carrots and hearty mushrooms, creating a symphony of flavors that will envelop you in nostalgia. This recipe not only nourishes the body but also warms the soul, perfect for family gatherings or comforting weeknight dinners. Despite the meticulous preparation, the end result is well worth the effort, with a delectable aroma wafting through the kitchen as they bake to perfection. Serve your Golabki with creamy mashed potatoes for a complete meal that the whole family will savor!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
21
Ingredients
Ingredients
Cabbage
1 head (Core removed)
Butter
2-3 tablespoons (For sautéing onions)
Onion
1 cup (Chopped)
Ground Beef
1 lb (Raw)
Ground Pork
1 lb (Raw)
Ground Veal
1 lb (Raw)
Cooked White Rice
2 cups (Cooked)
Tomato Paste
1 cup (None)
Crushed Tomatoes
2 (28 ounce) cans (None)
Water or Beef Broth
1.5 cups (None)
Brown Sugar
1 tablespoon (None)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (To taste)
Pepper
1/2 teaspoon (To taste)
Celery Salt
1/4 teaspoon (None)
Parsley
1/4 teaspoon (Dried)
Nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon (Ground)
Worcestershire Sauce
1/4 teaspoon (None)
Carrots
4 (Sliced)
Mushrooms
16 ounces (Quartered)
Bay Leaves
2 (None)
Eggs
2 (Slightly beaten)
Instructions
1
Begin by carefully parboiling the cabbage in a large pot of water. Remove the leaves as they become tender, typically within 15 minutes. Ensure you cook the leaves just enough so they are pliable without ripping.
2
Once finished, immediately run the leaves under cold water to stop the cooking process and drain them well.
3
Trim the thick stem from the back of each cabbage leaf to make rolling easier.
4
In a skillet, melt the butter and sauté the chopped onions over medium heat until they are golden brown and fragrant.
5
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, and ground veal with the slightly beaten eggs.
6
Add the sautéed onions to the meat mixture, followed by cooked rice, salt, pepper, celery salt, parsley, nutmeg, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
7
Take a cabbage leaf and spoon 2-3 tablespoons of the meat mixture onto the wider end. Roll the leaf over the filling, tucking in the sides as you go to ensure a secure roll. Repeat until all the leaves and filling have been used.
8
Grease a roasting pan and arrange the stuffed cabbage rolls seam-side down in a single layer.
9
Layer the sliced carrots and quartered mushrooms over the cabbage rolls.
10
In a separate bowl, mix together the tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, water or beef broth, and brown sugar. Pour this mixture evenly over the rolls and vegetables.
11
Season with additional salt and pepper to taste, and place bay leaves on top.
12
Cover the roasting pan with a lid or aluminum foil and bake in a preheated oven at 325°F (160°C) for 2 to 2.5 hours. Halfway through, check if the sauce needs more liquid and add additional water or broth if necessary.
13
Once cooked, serve the cabbage rolls warm with sauce spooned over the top. Accompany with creamy mashed potatoes for a delightful meal.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Polish Golabki?
Polish Golabki are traditional savory cabbage rolls stuffed with a blend of ground meats, onions, and rice, then baked in a tomato sauce.
What type of meat is used in the filling?
This recipe uses a combination of one pound each of ground beef, ground pork, and ground veal.
How do I prepare the cabbage leaves for rolling?
Parboil the cabbage head in a large pot for about 15 minutes, remove the leaves as they soften, and run them under cold water to stop the cooking.
What is the best way to make cabbage leaves pliable?
In addition to parboiling, you should trim the thick stem from the back of each leaf to make it easier to roll.
Is the rice in the filling cooked or raw?
The recipe calls for two cups of cooked white rice to be mixed into the meat filling.
Should the onions be cooked before adding them to the meat?
Yes, the chopped onions should be sautéed in butter until they are golden brown and fragrant before being added to the mixture.
What spices are used to season the meat mixture?
The filling is seasoned with salt, pepper, celery salt, dried parsley, ground nutmeg, and Worcestershire sauce.
How much filling should I put in each cabbage roll?
Spoon approximately 2-3 tablespoons of the meat mixture onto the wider end of each cabbage leaf.
How do I prevent the cabbage rolls from coming apart?
Roll the leaf over the filling while tucking in the sides and place them seam-side down in the roasting pan.
What ingredients make up the tomato sauce?
The sauce consists of tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, water or beef broth, and a tablespoon of brown sugar.
Are there any vegetables cooked along with the rolls?
Yes, sliced carrots and quartered mushrooms are layered over the cabbage rolls before baking.
At what temperature should the Golabki be baked?
The oven should be preheated and set to 325°F (160°C).
How long does it take to cook the cabbage rolls?
The rolls need to bake for 2 to 2.5 hours.
Do I need to cover the pan while baking?
Yes, the roasting pan should be covered with a lid or aluminum foil during the baking process.
What should I do if the sauce looks dry during baking?
Halfway through cooking, check the liquid level and add more water or beef broth if the sauce needs it.
What is the best side dish to serve with Golabki?
These cabbage rolls are traditionally served with creamy mashed potatoes.
How many bay leaves are used in the recipe?
Two bay leaves are placed on top of the sauce and vegetables before baking.
What is the purpose of adding eggs to the meat mixture?
Two slightly beaten eggs act as a binder to help the meat and rice filling hold its shape.
Can I use beef broth instead of water for the sauce?
Yes, the recipe allows for the use of either water or beef broth depending on your preference for richness.
Why is brown sugar added to the tomato sauce?
The brown sugar helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes, creating a zesty and slightly sweet flavor profile.
How much tomato paste is required?
The recipe calls for one cup of tomato paste.
Is the meat cooked before it is rolled into the cabbage?
No, the meat is mixed raw with the other ingredients and cooks thoroughly during the 2-hour baking period.
What type of cabbage should be used?
A standard head of green cabbage with the core removed is typically used for this dish.
How many cans of crushed tomatoes are needed?
You will need two 28-ounce cans of crushed tomatoes.
What is the role of nutmeg in this recipe?
A quarter teaspoon of ground nutmeg adds a subtle, warm aromatic depth to the meat filling.
Should the cabbage rolls be in a single layer?
Yes, arrange them in a single layer in a greased roasting pan for even cooking.
How much butter is used for sautéing the onions?
Use 2 to 3 tablespoons of butter.
What is the texture of the finished dish?
The cabbage becomes tender and the meat filling remains succulent, all enveloped in a rich tomato sauce.
Are the mushrooms sliced or whole?
The 16 ounces of mushrooms should be quartered before being added to the pan.
How much Worcestershire sauce is added?
The recipe uses 1/4 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce for a touch of savory depth.