Stuffed Savoy Cabbage

Stuffed Savoy cabbage is a savory and satisfying dish, ideal for a family meal or a special dinner. This recipe combines the delicate texture of cabbage leaves with a juicy filling of meat and rice, offering a perfect balance of flavors and nutrition. Next, I will present the necessary steps to prepare this delicacy, sharing useful tips to achieve a perfect result.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Number of servings: 4-6 servings

Ingredients:
- 1 whole Savoy cabbage
- 500 g minced meat (lamb, pork, or beef, according to preference)
- 150 g rice (preferably long-grain rice)
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, crushed
- 400 ml tomato juice or canned whole tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Optional: fresh chopped parsley for garnish

Step 1: Preparing the cabbage
To stuff the cabbage, start by removing the core and separating the leaves. Boil a large pot of salted water and add the cabbage leaves for about 3-5 minutes, until they become soft and flexible. Remove them with a slotted spoon and let them cool. This step is essential to ensure that the leaves do not tear when you fill them.

Step 2: Preparing the filling
In a pan, heat the olive oil and add the chopped onion. Sauté until it becomes translucent, then add the garlic and sauté for another minute. In a large bowl, combine the minced meat, rice, sautéed onion and garlic, sweet paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.

Step 3: Filling the cabbage
Take a cabbage leaf and place a portion of the meat and rice mixture in the center. Fold the cabbage leaf over the filling, then roll tightly to form a packet. Repeat the process until all the cabbage leaves and filling are used.

Step 4: Baking
Preheat the oven to 180°C. In a baking dish, pour half of the tomato juice, place the stuffed cabbage rolls, and cover them with the remaining tomato juice. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to retain moisture. Bake in the oven for 45 minutes, then remove the foil and leave in the oven for another 15 minutes to achieve a lightly browned crust.

Serving suggestions:
Serve the stuffed Savoy cabbage warm, garnished with fresh chopped parsley for an extra touch of freshness. It can be accompanied by fine sour cream or Greek yogurt to add a creaminess.

Possible variations:
For a vegetarian version of this recipe, you can replace the meat with chopped mushrooms or legumes such as lentils. Additionally, add spices like cumin or curry to give an international twist to this traditional dish.

Stuffed Savoy cabbage is not only a tasty main dish but also a healthy choice that brings nutritional benefits due to its ingredients. Try this simple and quick recipe and enjoy a savory dish that will impress any guest!