Embark on a culinary journey to savor the delightful flavors of couscous-stuffed cabbage leaves, a delectable dish that harmoniously blends the richness of ground beef, aromatic spices, and fluffy couscous, all enveloped in tender cabbage leaves. This hearty and versatile dish can be customized to suit your preferences, whether you prefer a tangy tomato sauce, a creamy yogurt sauce, or a spicy harissa sauce. Explore the diverse recipes featured in this article, ranging from classic Moroccan-inspired variations to innovative vegetarian and vegan options, each offering a unique taste experience. Discover the art of crafting tender cabbage leaves, preparing flavorful fillings, and cooking methods that result in perfectly stuffed cabbage rolls that are sure to tantalize your taste buds. Let your kitchen be filled with the enticing aromas of this comforting dish as you indulge in a culinary adventure that celebrates the vibrant flavors of couscous-stuffed cabbage leaves.
Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!
STUFFED CABBAGE
This recipe calls for freezing a head of cabbage overnight to soften the leaves to wrap around a beef and rice mixture.
Provided by Barb
Categories Main Dish Recipes Stuffed Main Dish Recipes Stuffed Cabbage
Time 13h10m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Place cabbage head in freezer and freeze overnight. Remove from freezer, thaw and peel away leaves.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Combine the beef, egg, onion, rice, salt and pepper. Mix together well. Take a small handful and form into a small roll or ball. Place into the center of a cabbage leaf. Fold the sides of the leaf over and roll the ball up into the leaf. Place seam side down in baking dish. Continue until all of the filling is used up.
- Mix together the soup with a 1/2 can water; pour over stuffed cabbage.
- Bake uncovered at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 1 hour; baste often with the sauce.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 248.4 calories, Carbohydrate 19.6 g, Cholesterol 65.8 mg, Fat 13.1 g, Fiber 4.3 g, Protein 14 g, SaturatedFat 5.1 g, Sodium 287.9 mg, Sugar 8.3 g
FISH AND COUSCOUS STUFFED MEDITERRANEAN CABBAGE ROLLS
An interesting twist on stuffed cabbage rolls which I happen to love. Last year on vacation, it was the last day and trying to use up all our food; a box of couscous, tilapia, cabbage, and a few pantry items, and the dish was born. Now I have refined it a bit, but over all, this was it. It turned out so good, I make it all the time. Tender white fish, couscous, Mediterranean flavors and vegetables wrapped in cabbage with a rich artichoke and tomato sauce. Just like any cabbage rolls, it takes a little bit of work to wrap them all up, but 30 minutes baked in the oven and they are perfect. Serve with a creamy potato and parsnip soup to start off dinner, and crunchy bread to go along with the cabbage rolls and you have a great Sunday dinner.
Provided by SarasotaCook
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 1h40m
Yield 10-12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 24
Steps:
- Homemade Greek Seasoning -- You can make a batch of this up and put in a small spice jar. Once you try this, you will always keep some on hand.: 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried mint, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1/2 teaspoon dried basil, 1/2 teaspoon dried minced onion, 1/4 teaspoon dried minced garlic. Options, you can add some lemon pepper, or marjoram, but that is my favorite combination that I use.
- Cabbage -- In a large pot, bring salted water up to a boil and add the cabbage. Blanch, or cook the cabbage just until the leaves are tender or no longer stiff and easy to work work. It should take about 3-4 minutes. Now don't get rid of that water, just turn it off for now. Once the cabbage is cool enough to handle remove the outer leaves, the ones that are soft and no longer stiff. As you get in to the smaller leaves they will be stiffer, so heat up the water to a boil and put the cabbage back in to finish blanching the remaining cabbage, just another 2-3 minutes. Once cool, take off the leaves.
- Set all the leaves off to the side to cool. And don't worry if they are all different sizes, that is just the way stuffed cabbage is. Each stuffed leaf will be a bit different.
- NOTE: Don't throw that water out yet. We use it one more time.
- Fish -- Now you can use a variety of methods, but since you already have hot boiling water from the cabbage, why get rid of it. I simply put a steamer basket (or you can use a colander or even a strainer; I have even used a small grate) over the top, cut my fish fillets into 3" pieces, easier to work with, and add to the steamer basket. Put a lid or foil over the top and just cooked until slightly tender, but not too long. Usually 4-5 minutes is all you need. Remove and let cool.
- Couscous -- Now you can use your favorite brand. Simply follow the directions on the package. My method is to bring a bowl of water up to a boil in the microwave. Remove, add the couscous, cover with plastic wrap and you are done. You want approximately 1 1/2 cups cooked couscous, a little more or less is fine. Just set to the side.
- Vegetable Filling -- In a medium saute pan, heat to medium high and add the olive oil. Add the peppers, onion, celery, and garlic and cook 3-4 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften and the onion gets opaque. Then add in the scallions, parsley, Greek seasoning and olives and just stir to combine all the flavors. Remove to the side.
- Fish filling -- Take you fish and use your fork to flake the fish. I just roughly flake it, it will fall apart as you mix it with the other ingredients. To the couscous, just remove the plastic wrap or fork to "fluff up." Then add the fish, sauteed vegetables, lemon juice and zest, and the egg to the couscous. Mix well. Your filling is done.
- Sauce -- The sauce can simmer as you roll your cabbage leaves. In a medium to large pot bring to medium heat and add the olive oil and then the onions and garlic. Cook for just 2-3 minutes until the onions begin to soften. Deglaze the pan with the white wine and then add in the tomatoes and Greek seasoning. Stir well and then add in the artichoke hearts. Just reduce the heat to low and let it simmer.
- Rolls -- Now the fun part. Lay out the cabbage leaves and put a good spoon of the couscous mixture to the center of the leaf. I fold one end over (the smaller end), then tuck in the 2 sides, and finish rolling. Just like you would make a sandwich wrap. Secure with a toothpick and you are done.
- If you have any filling left, don't throw it out. Save it and reinvent it. Add some feta cheese and fresh tomatoes and serve as a cold salad over a bed of lettuce or stuff in a tomato for a quick healthy lunch or dinner.
- Casserole -- I like to bake mine in a large casserole dish, I add all the cabbage leaves and then top with the simmered tomato and artichoke sauce. In a 350 degree oven, cover and bake 30-40 minutes until the cabbage is very tender and all the filling reheats.
- Serve -- Make sure to serve 2-3 leaves per person and top with extra tomato sauce and the black olives as a garnish. Some crusty bread and you have a great dinner. I love to start with a bowl of creamy potato soup, I made earlier, so just reheat. It makes a nice Sunday Comfort Food Meal for a cold chilly day.
COUSCOUS STUFFED CABBAGE LEAVES
Make and share this Couscous Stuffed Cabbage Leaves recipe from Food.com.
Provided by dianekintrea
Categories Vegetable
Time 30m
Yield 4-8 cabbage rolls, 2-4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Saute garlic in butter over med hi heat, add dry couscous and stir for 1 minute.
- Stir in water, cover and remove from heat. Leave aside covered for 5 minutes.
- In large pot with 3 inches boiling water add cabbage leaves that have had 3" of thickest vein cut out. Cover and allow to soften in steaming water.
- Remove leaves from water and lay out on flat surface.
- To couscous add tempanade, basil, sun dried tomatoes, and parmesan or asiago cheese. mix well and distribute on to each cabbage leaf.
- Fold sides and roll couscous mixture into leaves setting each into a bread pan. Cover with marinara then mozzarella.
- Bake for 20 minutes and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 700.9, Fat 20.2, SaturatedFat 9.3, Cholesterol 42.9, Sodium 1604.5, Carbohydrate 103.3, Fiber 7.8, Sugar 26.1, Protein 26.5
STUFFED CABBAGE LEAVES
Provided by Bryan Miller
Categories dinner, main course
Time 30m
Yield About 15 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Boil the cabbage whole in a large pot of water for three to five minutes, or until the leaves turn bright green. Remove from water.
- When the cabbage has cooled, separate the leaves carefully. Place each leaf flat on a table and divide the scallops, shrimp and crab claws among them. Brush with melted butter and vermouth. Sprinkle with fresh herbs, and salt and pepper.
- Fold the leaves and tie with string or long scallion ends.
- Place on hot grill and cook for five to seven minutes on each side. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 185, UnsaturatedFat 4 grams, Carbohydrate 2 grams, Fat 13 grams, Fiber 0 grams, Protein 13 grams, SaturatedFat 8 grams, Sodium 381 milligrams, Sugar 0 grams, TransFat 1 gram
Tips:
- To make the cabbage leaves more pliable, blanch them in boiling water for a few minutes before stuffing.
- If you don't have any ground beef, you can use ground lamb, turkey, or chicken instead.
- Add some grated vegetables, such as carrots, celery, or zucchini, to the meat filling for extra flavor and texture.
- To make the couscous more flavorful, cook it in broth instead of water.
- Add some chopped fresh herbs, such as parsley, cilantro, or mint, to the couscous for a pop of flavor.
- Serve the stuffed cabbage leaves with a dollop of yogurt or sour cream, and a sprinkle of paprika or chili powder.
Conclusion:
Couscous-stuffed cabbage leaves are a delicious and hearty dish that is perfect for a cold winter day. They are also relatively easy to make, and they can be tailored to your own taste preferences. With a little bit of planning, you can have a delicious and satisfying meal on the table in no time.
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