The ultimate comfort dish
Imagine a slowly simmered dish, with deep flavors and intoxicating aromas that fill the whole house. 🏡🔥 A dish that evokes Sunday family meals, where generations gather around a generous and authentic feast… Yes, you guessed it, we’re talking about traditional stuffed cabbage! 🥬✨
If you want to master this classic and impress your guests with an authentic, delicious, and foolproof recipe, then this article is for you. Hang on, we’ll reveal all the secrets for a stuffed cabbage worthy of the best French tables! 🇫🇷👨🍳
🛒 The ingredients for a perfect stuffed cabbage (6 people)
🔹 1 curly green cabbage
🔹 500 g of minced meat (beef and pork for more flavor)
🔹 2 medium onions, finely chopped
🔹 2 cloves of garlic, minced
🔹 100 g of smoked bacon
🔹 1 egg
🔹 50 g of bread crumbs, soaked in milk
🔹 1 bunch of parsley, chopped
🔹 Salt & pepper
🔹 500 ml of chicken broth
🔹 2 carrots, sliced
🔹 2 sprigs of thyme
🔹 2 bay leaves
🔎 Tip: For a lighter version, replace the meat with lentils and chopped mushrooms. 🍄🌱
🔥 Preparation: step by step
1️⃣ Prepare the cabbage
✔️ Remove the first damaged leaves.
✔️ Immerse the whole cabbage in a large pot of boiling salted water for 10 minutes to soften it.
✔️ Drain and let cool before carefully peeling off the leaves.
2️⃣ Prepare the filling
✔️ Sauté the onions and garlic in a pan with a bit of oil until they become translucent.
✔️ Add the bacon and lightly brown it.
✔️ In a mixing bowl, combine the minced meat, egg, soaked bread crumbs, parsley, salt, and pepper.
✔️ Incorporate the onion and bacon mixture, then mix well.
3️⃣ Assemble the stuffed cabbage
✔️ Place a portion of filling in the center of each large cabbage leaf and fold it into a small, compact package.
✔️ If you prefer the whole version, reshape the cabbage by alternating leaves and filling, then tie it to keep everything secure.
4️⃣ Slow cooking for maximum flavors
✔️ In a Dutch oven, layer the slices of carrots, thyme, and bay leaves at the bottom.
✔️ Place the stuffed cabbages on top and pour the chicken broth up to halfway.
✔️ Let it simmer on low heat for 1h30 covered.
😋 Grandma’s secret: Let rest for 15 minutes after cooking for better flavor retention.
🌍 Variations of stuffed cabbage around the world
This dish comes in various forms depending on the regions and countries:
💠 France (Auvergne, Provence): “Lou Fassum”, stuffed with pork, rice, and peas 🌿
💠 Poland: “Gołąbki”, stuffed cabbage with rice and meat simmered in tomato sauce 🍅
💠 Romania: “Sarmale”, rolled fermented cabbage filled with a meat and spice mixture 🌶️
👉 A must-try to vary the pleasures! 😍
💡 Tips and advice for an unforgettable stuffed cabbage
✔️ Choose the right cabbage: A curly green cabbage is perfect for a melting texture 🥬
✔️ Soft filling: Soaking the bread crumbs in milk ensures an ultra-melting texture 🤤
✔️ Slow & long cooking: Slow simmering allows the aromas to fully develop 🍲
✔️ Storage: Keeps 3 days in the fridge and freezes perfectly for a future feast ❄️
🔥 And you, are you team classic stuffed cabbage or revamped?
Have you ever tried this recipe? Or perhaps a regional variant that you love? Share your experience in the comments! 💬👇
💡 If you liked this recipe, think of sending it to a foodie friend or sharing it on your networks! 🙌
Céline, a crêpe enthusiast, shares her recipes and tips on her blog dedicated to this culinary art. As a passionate blogger, she explores all aspects of crêpes, from traditional to innovative creations. Join her for delicious and inspiring culinary adventures!
