Cabbage Rolls

I made these for dinner this week, and they were so good! First time eating and making cabbage rolls, and i was pleased with both. I got this recipe from Clean Eating magazine, and altered it slightly. Its also a great make ahead dish. Now that i am working some weeknights, its great to have dished you can make earlier in the day and bake when you get home.


Cabbage Rolls

Cabbage rolls:
1 cup brown rice
1 large green cabbage head
1 lb lean turkey sausage
1 medium yellow onion, chopped, divided
3 roma tomatoes, seeded, cored, chopped
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper'
1/2 cup ww plain bread crumbs
2 large egg whites

Sauce:
1 tsp Olive oil
1 6 oz can unsalted tomato paste
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1 T thyme

Cook rice according to package directions.

Fill a large pot or tea kettle with water, bring to boil. Place head of cabbage in colander and pour boiling water over cabbage to make leaves pliable( you may need to do this more than once).

In large skillet over medium hi heat, saute turkey for about 5 minutes, or until no more pink. Reserve 2 T onion for sauce, add remaining onion to skillet. Saute additional 3 minutes or until onion is no longer transluent. Add tomatoes, oregano, cinnamon, and cayenne, and saute another 2 minutes.

Remove pan from heat. In a large bowl mix together cooked rice, bread crumbs, and egg whites; then combine with turkey mixture.

Place about 1/2 cup turkey mixture in the middle of a cabbage leaf. Fold outer edges in the the middle and bottom edge up. Then roll stuffed cabbage leaf away from you i full turn until sealed. Secure with toothpicks.

To make sauce:

Heat a medium pan over med-hi heat for 1 minute. Add olive oil. Add reserved 2 T onion and saute for about 2 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, 1/2 cup water, 1/4 cup vinegar, oregano, cinnamon, cayenne and thyme.  Season with salt and pepper. Cook for about 2 more minutes. Spread 3-4 tablespoons sauce in bottom of 9x13 baking dish. Place all stuffed cabbage in baking dish and top with remaining sauce.

Cover with foil, and bake for 45 minutes at 375 degrees.