Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Recipe Name: Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Story: I am finally sharing a Lithuanian recipe with you. I grew up eating this dish since it is one of our traditional dishes. It wasn't something we made often, probably once every couple of months. 

Submitted by: Vilma

Ingredients: 

• 1 green cabbage
• 1.4 lb ground pork
• 1/2 cup white rice
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 large carrot, grated
• 1 celery rib, minced
• 2 tbsp butter
• 3 tbsp tomato sauce
• Chicken broth, about 1 cup
• Salt & pepper
• Flour

Directions: 
1. Pour water over rice to soak.
2. In a large pot bring water with salt to a boil. Cut out the cabbage core and submerge the head into boiling water. Cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes. Start to carefully remove softened top layer of leaves with a fork and place on a plate. Keep removing each slightly softened leaf until the smallest ones are left (too small to make a roll). 
3. Heat butter in a pan, add onion and carrots. Cook until slightly softened. Transfer to a bowl, add celery, ground pork, rice, pinch of salt and pepper. Mix everything well.
4. Cut off thicker parts of the stem from cabbage leaves to make them thinner and easier to roll. Put a spoonful of filling on each leaf, fold the sides and make a roll. 
5. Add flour to a plate and lightly coat each roll. Fry each roll sightly on all sides and transfer to a deep pan. 
6. Mix chicken stock with tomato sauce and pour over the cabbage rolls. You want the rolls fully covered. 
7. Bring to a boil, cover, turn the heat to low and simmer for about an hour. Stir in a little bit of sour cream at the end, simmer for 2 more minutes. 

Serve with roasted potatoes. 

Notes: 
Enjoy!