Hearty Ukrainian Holubtsi with Sour Cream Sauce
Holubtsi are traditional Ukrainian cabbage rolls filled with a savory mixture of rice and meat, simmered in a rich tomato sauce and served with a tangy sour cream accompaniment.
Preparation
Get these tasks done before you start cooking.
Preparing the Cabbage Leaves
- 1
Boil water
In a large pot, bring water to a boil.
- 2
Blanch cabbage leaves
Carefully remove cabbage leaves and blanch in boiling water for 1-2 minutes until pliable.
- 3
Dry leaves
Drain and pat dry with a towel.
Preparing the Filling
- 1
Combine ingredients
In a bowl, combine ground beef, cooked rice, chopped onion, minced garlic, and egg.
Tip: Be careful not to overfill the cabbage leaves to prevent tearing. For an extra rich filling, add a handful of sautéed mushrooms.
- 2
Season filling
Season with salt and pepper.
- 3
Mix filling
Mix until well combined.
How to Make Hearty Ukrainian Holubtsi with Sour Cream Sauce
Total time: 3 h 20 min · Yields 6 servings
- 1
Rolling and Filling the Cabbage
Place a heaping tablespoon of filling into each cabbage leaf and roll tightly, tucking in the sides.
- 2
Preparing the Tomato Sauce
In a saucepan, combine tomato juice, tomato paste, sugar, bay leaf, paprika, and thyme. Stir and bring to a simmer.
- 3
Cooking the Rolls
Layer cabbage rolls in a deep oven-safe dish, pour tomato sauce over them, cover with foil, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 1.5 hours.
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