Hungarian stuffed cabbage

In Hungary the stuffed cabbage is a typical feast (or rather christmas) food and the main dish of the feast on pig-killing day (disznótor).

Probably our stuffed cabbage is originated from szárma, that means the stuffed grape leavs roll, which is originated from the time of the Ottoman (Turkish) occupation.

Originally uploaded by Habeas Brulee

It was the first time on the Cabbage Festival, when I saw the stuffed cabbage is cooked in bogrács (kettle.)

I guess stuffed cabbage is wellknown and popular savyour food in many parts of Europe and Western Asia, but made differently everywhere. Many years ago (during high school) I spent a summer in Israel and there I tasted the kosher variety without smoked pork and sour cream. To be honest I could never be a kosher, because the stuffed cabbage is only good with sour cream and smoke prork :)
Like on this picture.

originally uploaded by Zsoolt

Let’s see the recipe!

Ingredients:

1 large cabbage

½ kilo ground beef or pork

long grain white rice - 1 1/4 cups

salt to taste

pepper to taste

red hungarian paprika - for color and taste

3 large fresh garlic cloves pressed or more if desired

2-3 eggs

1 onion grated into meat mixture

30 dkg smoked ham hock

1 kilo saurkraut - rinse alittle right before adding so it's not too sour.

2 small cans of contadina tomatoe paste - mix both cans with enough water to cover entire pot of stuffed cabbage for cooking.

Oil and flour for the roux

1. Remove core from the cabbage. Separate the leaves and boil them uncovered for 5 minutes or until soft enough to roll. Dry and reserve liquid.

2. Combine the meat, rice, spices, and eggs, mix well with your hands. Lay out a leaf of cabbage and center about 2 tablespoons of meat. Fold up sides and roll up ends to seal each roll. Continue with all the meat and cabbage.

3. To fill the pot, start with a layer of that chopped up cabbage mixed with sauerkraut. Then place the stuffed cabbage. Add another layer of chopped cabbage and sauerkraut on top of that, then another layer of stuffed cabbage. Keep going like this until you run out of stuffed cabbage, and add a final layer of chopped cabbage and sauerkraut on top.

4. Add the tomato saft, the smoked prok and the water to just cover the contents of the pot. Cook on simmer for one and half hour or until rice is tender.

5. Make a roux. (Ingredients for roux: 1 tablespoon of oil, 1 tablespoon of flour, paprika )

6. Serve with sour cream.

Good Appetite!