Recipe: Middle Eastern Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

from Vegetarian Times

Crinkly savoy cabbage leaves (which pull apart more easily than white cabbage) are stuffed with a combination of lentils, currants, and olives, then blanketed in a spicy tomato sauce. Serve over rice.
  • 1 Tbs. olive oil
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped (1 cup)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)
  • ¾ cup dried French or du Puy green lentils
  • 8 large savoy cabbage leaves, ribs removed
  • ? cup dried currants
  • ½ cup pitted Kalamata olives, quartered
  • 3 Tbs. lemon juice, divided
  • 1 15-oz. can low-sodium tomato sauce
  • 2 tsp. ground cumin
  • 1 ½ tsp. dried marjoram
  • ¼ tsp. ground allspice

1. Heat oil in saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, and cook 3 minutes. Add garlic, and cook 30 seconds. Add lentils and 4 cups water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 15 minutes, or until tender. Drain.

2. Bring pot of water to a boil. Blanch cabbage leaves 6 minutes, or until tender. Rinse under cold water, and drain.

3. Mash half of lentil mixture in bowl. Stir in remaining lentils, currants, olives, and 1 Tbs. lemon juice.

4. Combine tomato sauce, 1/2 cup water, remaining 2 Tbs. lemon juice, cumin, marjoram, and allspice in bowl. Spray 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray, then coat bottom with 1/2 cup sauce.

5. Lay 1 cabbage leaf on work surface. Spoon 1/3 cup lentil mixture in center of leaf, fold sides inward, and roll tightly. Place seam side down in dish. Repeat with remaining leaves and filling. Pour remaining sauce over rolls; cover with foil.

STORE/SERVE Refrigerate 3 days, or freeze 1 month. If frozen, thaw overnight in refrigerator. To bake: Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake cabbage rolls, covered, 1 hour. Uncover, baste with sauce, bake 10 minutes more, and serve.

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