Cabbage with minced meat baked – a savory recipe with enticing aromas and delicious textures. This classic dish, reinterpreted in a novel way, can easily become the star of family meals. Get ready to discover a dish that perfectly combines the rich taste of meat with the unmistakable flavor of pickled cabbage. Here’s how you can prepare it step by step!
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 55-60 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Servings: 6-8
Ingredients:
- 1.5 kg pickled cabbage from a jar or one sour cabbage and 1 grated carrot
- 1 medium onion
- 1 red bell pepper or sweet pepper
- 800-850 g minced pork
- 2-3 fresh tomatoes
- 20 ml oil
- 1 bunch of dill
- 1 bunch of parsley
- 4-5 bay leaves
- Pepper, thyme, sweet paprika, curry, to taste
Brief history
Cabbage with minced meat is a traditional dish that has been enjoyed by generations. This recipe symbolizes comfort and the warmth of home, often cooked during gatherings with family and friends. With variations in ingredients and cooking techniques, each housewife leaves her own mark on this dish. Today, I will present a simplified yet delicious version that emphasizes the flavor of the meat and cabbage.
Preparing the cabbage
1. Desalting the cabbage: Start by placing the pickled cabbage in cold water to desalinate. It is recommended to do this step the night before, allowing the cabbage to soak in water. This will help reduce the saltiness, providing a more balanced flavor to the final dish.
2. Preparing the ingredients: If you don’t have pickled cabbage from a jar, chop a sour cabbage and mix it with a grated carrot. This will add a sweet note and an interesting texture.
Cooking the cabbage
3. Sautéing the vegetables: In a large skillet, heat 20 ml of oil. Add the finely chopped onion and diced red pepper. Sautéing them for 3-4 minutes will release the aromas and prepare the base for the cabbage.
4. Adding the cabbage: Squeeze the desalinated cabbage and add it to the skillet. Mix well, then add the peeled and sliced tomatoes along with a little water. Cover the skillet and let everything simmer on low heat for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Preparing the meat
5. Minced meat: In a bowl, season the minced pork with pepper, thyme, paprika, curry, and bay leaves to taste. These spices will add a deep and complex flavor to the meat.
Assembling the dish
6. Layering in the baking dish: Take a deeper baking dish and place the cabbage mixture at the bottom, leaving space in the middle for the minced meat. Place the minced meat in the center, forming a small “roast” that will capture the flavor of the cabbage during baking.
7. Seasoning: Sprinkle the remaining spices over the cabbage and meat mixture, ensuring that each portion is well covered.
Baking
8. In the oven: Preheat the oven to 180°C. Place the dish in the oven and let it bake for 35-40 minutes, until the meat is nicely browned and the cabbage becomes soft.
9. Finishing the dish: After the baking time is up, use a wooden spoon to break the meat roast and distribute it evenly among the cabbage. This step will allow the flavors to combine perfectly. Put the dish back in the oven for another 15-20 minutes.
Serving
10. Plating: Once the dish is ready, take it out of the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Serve it on plates, garnishing with slices of tomatoes, bell peppers, and fresh herbs (dill and parsley) for an appetizing look.
Practical tips
- Variations: You can experiment with different types of meat, such as beef or meat blends. You can also add extra spices like cumin or coriander for an exotic touch to the dish.
- Side dishes: This cabbage with meat is delicious served alongside a portion of polenta or fresh bread. A fresh cabbage salad will perfectly complement the meal.
- Drinks: A cold beer or a dry white wine can pair perfectly with the intense flavors of this dish.
Nutritional information
This recipe is rich in protein due to the pork and offers plenty of vitamins and minerals from the cabbage and vegetables. Depending on the serving size, one portion may contain approximately 350-450 calories.
Frequently asked questions
1. Can I use fresh cabbage instead of pickled cabbage?
- Although pickled cabbage offers a unique flavor, you can use fresh cabbage, but you will need to season it more thoroughly.
2. How can I make the dish spicier?
- Add chopped hot pepper or chili flakes to the meat mixture to intensify the flavor.
3. Is this recipe suitable for freezing?
- Yes, the dish can be frozen. Make sure to portion it and keep it in an airtight container.
Enjoy your meal and happy cooking! This baked cabbage with minced meat will surely become a favorite at your table, bringing a touch of warmth and joy in every bite.
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 55-60 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Servings: 6-8
Ingredients:
- 1.5 kg pickled cabbage from a jar or one sour cabbage and 1 grated carrot
- 1 medium onion
- 1 red bell pepper or sweet pepper
- 800-850 g minced pork
- 2-3 fresh tomatoes
- 20 ml oil
- 1 bunch of dill
- 1 bunch of parsley
- 4-5 bay leaves
- Pepper, thyme, sweet paprika, curry, to taste
Brief history
Cabbage with minced meat is a traditional dish that has been enjoyed by generations. This recipe symbolizes comfort and the warmth of home, often cooked during gatherings with family and friends. With variations in ingredients and cooking techniques, each housewife leaves her own mark on this dish. Today, I will present a simplified yet delicious version that emphasizes the flavor of the meat and cabbage.
Preparing the cabbage
1. Desalting the cabbage: Start by placing the pickled cabbage in cold water to desalinate. It is recommended to do this step the night before, allowing the cabbage to soak in water. This will help reduce the saltiness, providing a more balanced flavor to the final dish.
2. Preparing the ingredients: If you don’t have pickled cabbage from a jar, chop a sour cabbage and mix it with a grated carrot. This will add a sweet note and an interesting texture.
Cooking the cabbage
3. Sautéing the vegetables: In a large skillet, heat 20 ml of oil. Add the finely chopped onion and diced red pepper. Sautéing them for 3-4 minutes will release the aromas and prepare the base for the cabbage.
4. Adding the cabbage: Squeeze the desalinated cabbage and add it to the skillet. Mix well, then add the peeled and sliced tomatoes along with a little water. Cover the skillet and let everything simmer on low heat for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Preparing the meat
5. Minced meat: In a bowl, season the minced pork with pepper, thyme, paprika, curry, and bay leaves to taste. These spices will add a deep and complex flavor to the meat.
Assembling the dish
6. Layering in the baking dish: Take a deeper baking dish and place the cabbage mixture at the bottom, leaving space in the middle for the minced meat. Place the minced meat in the center, forming a small “roast” that will capture the flavor of the cabbage during baking.
7. Seasoning: Sprinkle the remaining spices over the cabbage and meat mixture, ensuring that each portion is well covered.
Baking
8. In the oven: Preheat the oven to 180°C. Place the dish in the oven and let it bake for 35-40 minutes, until the meat is nicely browned and the cabbage becomes soft.
9. Finishing the dish: After the baking time is up, use a wooden spoon to break the meat roast and distribute it evenly among the cabbage. This step will allow the flavors to combine perfectly. Put the dish back in the oven for another 15-20 minutes.
Serving
10. Plating: Once the dish is ready, take it out of the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Serve it on plates, garnishing with slices of tomatoes, bell peppers, and fresh herbs (dill and parsley) for an appetizing look.
Practical tips
- Variations: You can experiment with different types of meat, such as beef or meat blends. You can also add extra spices like cumin or coriander for an exotic touch to the dish.
- Side dishes: This cabbage with meat is delicious served alongside a portion of polenta or fresh bread. A fresh cabbage salad will perfectly complement the meal.
- Drinks: A cold beer or a dry white wine can pair perfectly with the intense flavors of this dish.
Nutritional information
This recipe is rich in protein due to the pork and offers plenty of vitamins and minerals from the cabbage and vegetables. Depending on the serving size, one portion may contain approximately 350-450 calories.
Frequently asked questions
1. Can I use fresh cabbage instead of pickled cabbage?
- Although pickled cabbage offers a unique flavor, you can use fresh cabbage, but you will need to season it more thoroughly.
2. How can I make the dish spicier?
- Add chopped hot pepper or chili flakes to the meat mixture to intensify the flavor.
3. Is this recipe suitable for freezing?
- Yes, the dish can be frozen. Make sure to portion it and keep it in an airtight container.
Enjoy your meal and happy cooking! This baked cabbage with minced meat will surely become a favorite at your table, bringing a touch of warmth and joy in every bite.