Turkish Cabbage Rolls
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
1 hr
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Cook Time
1 hr 15 mins
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Total Time
2 hrs 15 mins
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Servings
6 servings
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Calories
512 kcal
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Course
Main Course
Turkish Cabbage Rolls
Description
The cabbage rolls are made by first peeling and blanching large green cabbage leaves briefly in salted boiling water to soften them for rolling. The filling mixes ground lamb with soaked bulgur wheat, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, spices including cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and optional sumac, along with pine nuts and finely chopped dried apricots, which add texture and subtle sweetness.
A Turkish-style tomato sauce is prepared by sautéing finely diced onion and garlic, then simmering with crushed tomatoes, sugar, spices, salt, and chicken broth to create a flavorful base. A portion of this sauce lines the baking dish before arranging the stuffed cabbage rolls on top.
These rolls bake until the filling is cooked through and the flavors meld. A mint yogurt sauce made with Greek yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, fresh herbs, salt, and pepper is served alongside or drizzled on top to provide a cool contrast. Garnishes like toasted pine nuts and fresh herbs enhance presentation and flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 green cabbage choose a larger one, head
Turkish Tomato Sauce:
- 1 onion finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 14 ounce crushed tomatoes canned
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon Coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chicken broth
Lamb Filling:
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce or regular tomato sauce, Turkish
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 1/2 lbs lamb uncooked, ground
- 1 cup bulgur wheat soaked
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon oregano dried
- 1 teaspoon thyme dried
- 1 teaspoon Coriander
- 1 teaspoon sumac optional
- 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon parsley finely chopped, fresh
- 1 tablespoon mint finely chopped, fresh
- 1/2 cup pine nuts
- 1/4 cup dried apricot very finely chopped
Mint Yogurt Sauce:
- 1 cup Greek yogurt full fat
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/4 cup mint leaf very finely chopped, fresh
- 1 tablespoon dill very finely, chopped
- salt
- black pepper
Garnish:
- parsley dill, or mint, chopped, fresh
- pine nuts toasted
Instructions
- Prepare/soak Bulgur Wheat per package directions.
Mint Yogurt Sauce:
- Mis all the yogurt sauce ingredients, taste and adjust for salt and pepper. Place in an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to use.
Blanch Cabbage:
- Bring a big pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, Peel off the cabbage leaves and blanch the leaves in batches for 1-2 minutes. Set aside to cool.
Make the Turkish Tomato Sauce:
- In a large saute pan, over medium-high heat, add the oil, and once hot, saute the onion until tender, 3-4 mins.
- Lower heat to medium, add garlic, saute for 2 minutes.
- Add crushed tomatoes, sugar, spices, salt, and chicken broth.
- Stir, bring to a simmer for 3-4 minutes, then turn the heat off.
- Place 1/2 cup of the tomato sauce mixture on the bottom of a lightly greased 9×13-inch baking dish and distribute to lightly coat the bottom. Set aside.
Make the filling:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a medium bowl, add the lamb, soaked and drained bulgar wheat, garlic, Turkish tomato sauce, salt, spices, pine nuts, and dried apricots, mix until well combined.
- Assemble the Cabbage Rolls:
- Place a blanched cabbage leaf on a cutting board. Cut about 2 inches of the thick vein out of the bottom end.
- Fill with 1/3 cup lamb filling and roll up like a burrito. Make sure to tuck in the edges and place it seam side down in the prepared baking dish. Repeat with the remaining cabbage leaves and filling.
- Once you have all the cabbage rolls in the baking dish (about 12-14), pour the remaining tomato sauce on top. Shake the pan lightly to distribute the sauce and cover tightly with foil.
- Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh chopped parsley, mint, dill, and a few pinenuts
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 512 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 512kcal | 26% |
| Carbohydrates | 43g | 14% |
| Protein | 31g | 62% |
| Fat | 37g | 57% |
| Saturated Fat | 13g | 65% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 84mg | 28% |
| Sodium | 1452mg | 61% |
| Potassium | 1176mg | 25% |
| Fiber | 12g | 48% |
| Sugar | 15g | 30% |
| Vitamin A | 839IU | 17% |
| Vitamin C | 71mg | 79% |
| Calcium | 196mg | 20% |
| Iron | 6mg | 33% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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