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Romanian Sarmale

Stuffed Cabbage Rolls, our Romanian Sarmale, a healthy dinner dish made with ground meat and rice, herbs, paprika and seasoning, rolled in cabbage leaves or sauerkraut, and cooked in a light tomato sauce until tender. It's a traditional dish in Romania, which is a classic recipe at Christmas, but also all year round. Quick and easy to make, these cabbage rolls are best served with polenta and sour cream.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Servings: 30 rolls
Calories: 76 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Romanian

Ingredients

  • 500 g ground pork
  • 250 g ground chicken
  • ½ cup rice
  • 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried mixed herbs
  • 1 small onion
  • 30 pickled cabbage leaves sauerkraut
  • 2 tablespoon tomato puree
  • 3 cups water

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Cut the onion really finely and mix it with the minced chicken and pork.
  2. Rinse the rice under running cold water, then mix it with the chicken and onion.
  3. Season with salt, ground black pepper, herbs and sweet paprika.
  4. This mixture was enough for 30 rolls, but depending on how big your rolls are, you may need more or less pickled cabbage leaves.
  5. Take a tablespoon of the mixture and place it on the pickled cabbage leaf. Fold it tightly into a roll. Repeat with the remaining mince.
  6. Shred a few pickled cabbage leaves and place them on the bottom of a large pan.
  7. Place the rolls around the pan leaving a well in the middle. Do make sure they are no gaps between the rolls, otherwise they might unfold during cooking.
  8. Add the tomato purée and pour in the water, making sure all the rolls are completely covered. Add more water if necessarily.
  9. Cover with a lid and cook on a small to medium heat until the rolls are cooked through.
  10. You can also add them to the oven once the are cooked, for 10-15 minutes, so the cabbage leaves can be extra tender.
  11. To reheat, simply pop the rolls in the oven until hot.

Notes

  • Click on the US Customary link to see the measurements displayed in cups and ounces.
  • The servings can be adjusted by clicking the number next to Servings.
  • Make sure you cook the rolls over a low to medium heat, otherwise a high heat might make the rolls come unwrapped.
  • To reheat the rolls, you can transfer them to an ovenproof container to go in the oven for 15-20 minutes until heated through.
  • Click on the US Customary link to see the measurements displayed in cups and ounces.
  • The servings can be adjusted by clicking the number next to Servings.
  • Make sure you cook the rolls over a low to medium heat, otherwise a high heat might make the rolls come unwrapped.
  • To reheat the rolls, you can transfer them to an ovenproof container to go in the oven for 15-20 minutes until heated through.

Nutrition Information

Calories 76kcal (4%) Carbohydrates 4g (1%) Protein 5g (10%) Fat 4g (6%) Saturated Fat 2g (10%) Cholesterol 19mg (6%) Sodium 62mg (3%) Potassium 162mg (5%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 278IU (6%) Vitamin C 8mg (9%) Calcium 15mg (2%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 30rolls

Amount Per Serving

Calories 76

% Daily Value*

Calories 76kcal 4%
Carbohydrates 4g 1%
Protein 5g 10%
Fat 4g 6%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 19mg 6%
Sodium 62mg 3%
Potassium 162mg 3%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin A 278IU 6%
Vitamin C 8mg 9%
Calcium 15mg 2%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.