Cabbage Rolls in Tomato Sauce (Holubtsi)

Ingredients

• 12 pcsCabbage leaf
• 500 gGround beef
• 150 gRice
• 80 gOnion
• 120 mlMilk
• 1 pcsEgg
• 2 tspSalt
• 1 tspPepper
• 30 gTomato paste
• 400 gTomato
• 15 gSugar
• 180 mlWater
• 15 mlVinegar
• 8 gCornstarch
• 10 gParsley

Instructions

1. 1

   Preparation

   • Preheat the oven to 175°C.
   • Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
   • Prepare a bowl for the filling.
2. 2

   Blanch cabbage leaves

   • Place cabbage leaves in the boiling water in batches, cover and let sit for 3 minutes until soft and pliable.
   • Drain and lay the leaves on a kitchen towel.
3. 3

   Make the filling

   • Finely chop the onion.
   • Mix ground beef, chopped onion, cooked rice, egg, milk, salt and pepper in a bowl until combined.
   • Divide the mixture into twelve equal portions.
4. 4

   Form rolls

   • Place a portion of filling on a cabbage leaf.
   • Fold sides and roll up tightly; secure with a toothpick.
   • Place rolls seam-side down in an ovenproof dish.
5. 5

   Prepare tomato sauce

   • Whisk tomato paste, canned tomatoes, sugar, water and vinegar together.
   • Pour sauce over the rolls, cover the dish and bake 40 minutes.
6. 6

   Thicken sauce & serve

   • Remove rolls to a serving plate and discard toothpicks.
   • Mix cornstarch with 30 ml water and stir into the sauce in the baking dish; heat gently until slightly thickened.
   • Pour the thickened sauce over the rolls and garnish with chopped parsley.