Turkish Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Directions

1. 1

   Step 1

   

   Peel the onion and garlic. Wash the cabbage, tomatoes, lemon, dill, and parsley. Rinse the rice until the water runs clear. Prepare a large bowl, pot, colander, saucepan, and deep pan.

2. 2

   Step 2

   

   Squeeze juice from ⅓ of the lemon. Press the garlic through a press. Finely chop the parsley and dill. Dice the onion into 3–4 mm cubes. Cut the tomatoes into slightly larger cubes.

3. 3

   Step 3

   

   Place the rice, diced tomatoes, and onion in a bowl. Add 4 minced garlic cloves, chopped herbs, 2 tbsp tomato paste.

4. 4

   Step 4

   

   Add to the combined ingredients 1 tbsp dried mint, 1 tsp paprika, black pepper, sumac, and 1 tsp salt. Add the lemon juice and 3 tbsp olive oil. Mix the filling thoroughly.

5. 5

   Step 5

   

   Pour 1.5–2 liters of water into a pot, bring to a boil over high heat. Separate the cabbage head into leaves, blanch them in batches in boiling water for 2–3 minutes. Place the blanched leaves in a colander to remove excess moisture.

6. 6

   Step 6

   

   Cut off the thickened vein at the bottom of each blanched leaf, set aside the cut-off parts. Distribute the rice filling over the prepared leaves. Fold the side edges of the leaves over the filling and roll the pieces into tight rolls 2–2.5 cm thick.

7. 7

   Step 7

   

   Arrange the cut-off cabbage leaf parts in an even layer on the bottom of a deep pan. Place the rolled pieces on top. Add 0.5 tsp salt.

8. 8

   Step 8

   

   Combine in a saucepan 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 2 minced garlic cloves, 2 tsp dried mint, 1 tsp paprika. Mix well.

9. 9

   Step 9

   

   Boil 2 cups of water in a kettle and add them to the mixture in the saucepan. Place over high heat and wait for the sauce to boil.

10. 10

    Step 10

    

    Evenly pour the hot sauce over the pieces in the pan. Place a heat-resistant plate upside down on top. Put the dish with the pieces over medium heat and let the liquid come to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer the cabbage rolls for about 35–40 minutes until the rice and cabbage are fully cooked.

11. 11

    Step 11

    

    Garnish the Turkish stuffed cabbage rolls with lemon slices and serve with unsweetened yogurt.