Fake cabbage rolls in meatballs
12 servings
120 minutes
Fake cabbage rolls in meatballs are a refined version of a traditional Yugoslav dish that lacks cabbage leaves but retains rich flavors. Juicy meatballs made from ground beef, rice, and aromatic vegetables simmer in a rich tomato sauce, absorbing the sweet-sour notes of lemon and balsamic vinegar. This dish combines the tenderness of the meat with a light crunch from the vegetables, creating a harmonious balance of textures. Originally, such cabbage rolls could serve as an alternative to the classic recipe at home where cabbage was used differently. Served with sour cream to enhance the creamy taste. Fake cabbage rolls in meatballs are simple yet surprisingly cozy food, perfect for family dinners or heartfelt gatherings.
1
Chop carrots, cabbage (small head), onion, celery (2-3 stalks) into thin strips (I used a Berner grater). Leave about 1/3 of the vegetables for the dressing. Add rinsed raw rice to the mixture. Mix well.
- Carrot: 6 pieces
- White cabbage: 1 piece
- Onion: 4 pieces
- Celery: 3 stems
- Rice: 100 g
2
Sauté the vegetables with rice for about 10 minutes until they soften (not until soft!).
3
Add all the minced meat, a little vegetable oil, garlic, chili, and any greens to the rice-vegetable mixture. Mix everything (better by hand to feel the consistency).
- Ground beef: 1 kg
- Garlic: 1 head
- Red chili pepper: to taste
- Fresh cilantro (coriander): to taste
4
Make the sauce. For this, dilute 400 g of tomato concentrate with hot water to the desired consistency (like liquid sour cream), add vegetables, salt, pepper, sugar, and balsamic. If it's not acidic enough, squeeze lemon juice. Taste it.
- Tomato puree: 400 g
- Salt: to taste
- Ground black pepper: to taste
- Sugar: to taste
- Balsamic vinegar: to taste
- Lemon: 1 piece
5
Pour the filling into a deep baking dish.
6
Form large meatballs with your hands (on the inner surface of the palm) and carefully place them in the sauce. The sauce should almost cover the meatballs (about 2/3).
7
Cover with foil and place in the oven at 200 degrees for one and a half hours.
8
Serve hot with sour cream.