Romanian Sarmale

traditional
savory
Author

Ioana Popa

Ingredients

  • 1 medium pickled cabbage
  • 1.5 lbs ground pork (or a mix of pork and beef)
  • 1 cup rice, washed and drained
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup tomato sauce
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp sweet paprika
  • 1 smoked pork hock or a few slices of smoked bacon (optional)
  • 3-4 bay leaves

Water or broth, as needed

Procedure

  1. Prepare the pickled cabbage by carefully separating the leaves and trimming the thick veins to make rolling easier.
  2. Mix ground meat, rice, sautéed onion, and spices for the filling.
  3. Roll the filling into cabbage leaves and place in a pot with smoked meat and bay leaves.
  4. Cover with tomato paste, sauce, and water/broth, then simmer for 2-3 hours.
  5. Serve hot with sour cream and polenta.