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