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Lamb and Rice Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Inspired by Chef John from Allrecipes

PREP TIME

30 mins

COOK TIME

1 hr 45 mins

ADDITIONAL TIME

30 mins

TOTAL TIME

2 hrs 45 mins

SERVINGS

4

YIELD

8 cabbage rolls

Ingredients

  • 1 pound LM Meat ground lamb
  • ¼ cup butter
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 pinch dried oregano
  • 1 cup white rice
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • ¼ cup packed chopped Italian parsley (Optional)
  • 2 tablespoons sliced almonds
  • 1 tablespoon dried currants
  • 1 head cabbage
  • Salt and ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 cup tomato puree
  • 3 ½ cups chicken broth
  • ½ onion, sliced
  • ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese (Optional)
  • 2 tablespoons chopped Italian parsley (Optional)

Directions

Step 1
Melt butter in large skillet over medium heat; heat oil in the melted butter. Cook and stir 1/2 diced onion until translucent, about 8 minutes. Add garlic and cook and stir for 1 minute. Remove from heat. Stir in 1 teaspoon black pepper, cumin, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, and oregano. Set aside to cool to room temperature.

Step 2
Combine lamb, rice, 2 teaspoons salt, 1/4 cup parsley, almonds, and currants in a large bowl. Add cooled onion mixture and mix until combined. Cover and place in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Step 3
Fill a large pot halfway with water and bring to a boil. Remove the core from the cabbage head and place the head in the boiling water. Cover and simmer until leaves begin to fall away, about 5 minutes. Remove the 2 outer layers of leaves to a paper towel-lined plate, cover and continue cooking for 1 to 2 more minutes. Remove the remaining large leaves to the plate. You will need 8 large and about 7 smaller leaves.

Step 4
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 5
Take 1 cabbage leaf and remove the root end. Place about 1/2 cup of the lamb mixture toward the bottom edge of the cabbage leaf and roll into a log. Repeat with remaining lamb mixture and 7 more large leaves to create 8 cabbage rolls.

Step 6
Line the bottom of a large casserole dish or Dutch oven with 4 or 5 smaller cabbage leaves. Place cabbage rolls on top; season with salt and black pepper. Add bay leaves and tomato puree. Pour in chicken broth. Sprinkle 1/2 sliced onion over the top and cover with 3 or 4 more cabbage leaves. Cover casserole.

Step 7
Bake in the preheated oven until the lamb is tender and the rice is cooked, 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 30 minutes. Serve with pan juices poured over the top and garnished with feta cheese and 2 tablespoons parsley.