Country Cabbage Rolls Straight From A Mennonite Kitchen

Grandma's Warm Embrace: A Trip Down Memory Lane with Country Cabbage Rolls

Close your eyes and take a bite. Does the taste transport you back to your childhood kitchen, filled with the warmth of family and the comforting aroma of a dish simmering on the stove? These Country Cabbage Rolls are more than just a meal; they're a delicious journey down memory lane, a chance to reconnect with loved ones and create new memories around the table.

Why Grandma's Country Cabbage Rolls Deserve a Spot on Your Dinner Menu:

• A Generational Legacy: This recipe has been lovingly passed down through generations, carrying with it a special sense of tradition and nostalgia. Sharing these cabbage rolls is a way to connect with family history and create lasting memories.
• Comfort Food at its Finest: These aren't your average fancy rolls. Country Cabbage Rolls embody the true essence of comfort food. Imagine savory ground beef filling nestled in tender cabbage leaves, all bathed in a rich and flavorful tomato sauce. Each bite is a warm hug for your soul.
• Surprisingly Easy Prep: Don't let the impressive flavor fool you! This recipe is surprisingly straightforward to prepare. A clever trick using the freezer ensures the cabbage leaves are soft and pliable, eliminating the need for boiling. This simplifies the prep process, allowing you to focus on what truly matters: spending time with loved ones in the kitchen.

Ingredients for Your Country Cabbage Roll Adventure:

• The Cabbage Shell:
• 1 large Savoy cabbage
• The Savory Filling:
• 2 pounds lean ground beef
• 2 medium to large onions, chopped
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil (canola, olive, or even butter)
• 1 cup white or brown rice, cooked and cooled
• 2 cups water
• 3 large eggs
• 1 ½ teaspoons Morton salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• The Comforting Sauce:
• 2 cans condensed tomato soup
• 2 small bottles (individual serving sizes) tomato juice or vegetable cocktail (like V8)
• 1 can or small carton chicken broth

Step-by-Step Guide to Country Cabbage Roll Bliss:

1. The Secret to Soft and Easy Leaves: Here's a unique trick for perfectly tender cabbage leaves. Place the head of Savoy cabbage in the freezer overnight. The freezing process breaks down the cabbage's cell walls, making the leaves incredibly pliable and ideal for rolling. When you're ready to cook, simply thaw the cabbage at room temperature.
2. Preparing the Filling: While the cabbage thaws, cook the rice according to package instructions and set it aside to cool. In a large skillet, heat your chosen oil or butter over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onions until golden brown. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, cooked rice, sautéed onions, eggs, salt, and pepper. Use your hands to mix everything together thoroughly, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
3. Assembling the Cabbage Rolls: Carefully peel the leaves away from the core of the cabbage, removing the tough center part. Lay a single cabbage leaf flat on a work surface. Place a portion of the meat mixture (⅓ to ½ cup, depending on the size of the leaf) near the bottom edge of the leaf. Fold the sides of the leaf inward, then roll up tightly to create a neat cabbage roll. Repeat this process until all the meat mixture is used.
4. Baking to Perfection: Preheat your oven to 325°F (175°C). Lightly grease a large casserole dish or two smaller casserole dishes. Place the assembled cabbage rolls seam-side down in the prepared dish.
5. Creating the Savory Sauce: In a large mixing bowl, combine the condensed tomato soup, tomato juice, and chicken broth. This flavorful mixture will bathe your cabbage rolls in comfort. Pour the sauce evenly over the cabbage rolls in the casserole dish. Cover the dish tightly with foil or a lid.
6. Baking and Resting: Bake the cabbage rolls for 2 hours at 325°F (175°C). Once baking is complete, you can serve them immediately for a piping hot and comforting meal. Alternatively, you can cool them on the counter and refrigerate or freeze them for future enjoyment. Here's a tip: If you plan to freeze them, remove the foil (to prevent sticking) and cover the dish with plastic wrap before placing it in the freezer.
7. Reheating and Enjoying: Reheat in the oven at 325°F (175°C) for about an hour, or until heated through. Alternatively, they can be reheated beautifully in the microwave on a sensor reheat setting.

Serve these Grandma's Country Cabbage Rolls with a side of creamy mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a simple green salad for a complete and heartwarming meal. As you savor each bite, let the comforting flavors and textures transport you back to your childhood kitchen, filled with the love and laughter of family.

Tips:

• For a richer flavor, use a combination of ground beef and ground pork in the filling.
• Feeling adventurous? Add chopped mushrooms or shredded carrots to the filling for extra texture and flavor.
• If you don't have Savoy cabbage, you can use green cabbage, but you may need to parboil the leaves for a few minutes to soften them before rolling.
• Leftover cabbage rolls can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

With this easy-to-follow recipe and a little help from the freezer, you can create a dish that's not only delicious but also steeped in tradition. So, gather your loved ones, crank up the oven, and prepare to embark on a delightful journey down memory lane with Grandma's Country Cabbage Rolls!