In the world of traditional German cuisine, there are few dishes as hearty and satisfying as grandma’s cabbage rolls. These delicious cabbage rolls, filled with a savory mixture of ground meat, onions, and spices, are a true delight for the senses. Wrapped in tender cabbage leaves and braised in a rich sauce, they are the ultimate comfort food that brings back memories of cozy family meals and festive occasions.
To make Grandma’s cabbage rolls at home, you only need a few ingredients, but a little patience and attention to detail are required to achieve the perfect taste. Here is the classic recipe for Grandma’s cabbage rolls:
### Ingredients:
– 1 large head of white cabbage
– 500 g mixed minced meat (beef and pork)
– 1 onion, finely chopped
– 1 clove of garlic, finely chopped
– 100 g cooked rice
– 2 eggs
– 2 tbsp breadcrumbs
– salt and pepper to taste
– 1 tsp ground cumin
– 1 tsp paprika powder
– 1 tbsp chopped parsley
– 2 tbsp clarified butter or oil
– 500 ml beef broth
– 250 ml red wine
– 2 tbsp tomato paste
– 2 bay leaves
– 2 cloves
– 2 tbsp flour (optional, to thicken the sauce)
### Instructions:
1. Carefully remove the stalk from the cabbage and remove the outer leaves. Place the cabbage in a large pot of boiling salted water and cook for 5-7 minutes until the outer leaves are soft and come away easily. Drain the leaves and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, chopped onion, garlic, cooked rice, eggs, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, cumin, paprika and parsley. Knead the mixture well until all the ingredients are well distributed.
3. Lay the cooked cabbage leaves on a work surface and spread a portion of the minced meat mixture on each one. Fold in the sides of the cabbage leaf and roll up the roulades tightly.
4. Heat the clarified butter or oil in a large casserole dish and fry the cabbage rolls on all sides until golden brown.
5. Once the roulades are browned, add the beef stock, red wine, tomato paste, bay leaves and cloves. Cover and simmer over a low heat for about 60-90 minutes until tender.
6. When the roulades are cooked, remove them from the pan and keep them warm. If necessary, thicken the sauce with a little flour to achieve a thicker consistency.
7. Serve the cabbage rolls with the rich sauce, ideally with potatoes, mashed potatoes or dumplings as a side dish.
Grandma’s cabbage rolls are a timeless dish that pampers the palate and warms the soul. With this classic recipe you can bring the authentic taste of German home cooking straight into your kitchen. Enjoy this delicious dish with your family and friends and let yourself be enchanted by its incomparable taste. Enjoy!