**Grandma Elaine's Unstuffed Sweet and Sour Cabbage: A Classic Dish with a Modern Twist**
Cabbage, a versatile vegetable beloved for its affordability, health benefits, and culinary versatility, takes center stage in this delightful recipe. Grandma Elaine's Unstuffed Sweet and Sour Cabbage is a unique and flavorful take on the traditional stuffed cabbage dish, offering a medley of irresistible flavors and textures. This recipe features tender cabbage leaves braised to perfection in a tantalizing sauce brimming with tangy sweetness and a hint of acidity. Accompanying the cabbage are succulent meatballs, adding a savory dimension to the dish. The recipe also includes variations for vegetarians, featuring hearty lentils instead of meatballs, and a keto-friendly option that swaps out the rice with cauliflower rice. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner looking to impress your family and friends, Grandma Elaine's Unstuffed Sweet and Sour Cabbage is sure to become a staple in your culinary repertoire.
GRANDMA ELAINE'S UNSTUFFED SWEET & SOUR CABBAGE
It is not lightly that I post this recipe. This is not a cookbook or kicked around recipe. This is an authentic HEIRLOOM recipe that has been passed down through my family for ages. Each generation has improved and tweaked the recipe slightly (I suggested brown sugar instead of white). Let me know if you enjoy eating this as much as I do!
Provided by Iron Stomach
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 2h50m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Use Large Stock Pot and wooden spoon.
- Wash cabbage, cut off core. Cut cabbage in half horizontally. Take core out and cut.
- cabbage in 3 inch chunks.
- Cook sliced onions in oil until translucent.
- Add can of whole tomatoes, stir and chop slightly with spoon. Add tomato sauce, half of salt, half of pepper, and mix.
- Cover and simmer for 20 minutes, stir occasionally so it doesn't burn.
- Then add cabbage and stir and push cabbage down into the sauce.
- Cover pot and continue to simmer approx 1 hour till you can mix cabbage around in the sauce.
- In large bowl mix ground beef with chopped onion, 1 1/2 level teaspoons salt, 1/4 tsp pepper, 2 eggs, rice, and water. Mix well with hands.
- If too mushy, add a little more rice. Form golf ball size meat balls, and then store briefly in refrigerator to get firmer.
- Place meatballs on top of cabbage on sauce. Cover and simmer approx 15 minutes till meatballs feel firm.
- Then gently mix meat balls into sauce. Let pot simmer for approx 45 minutes, then add lemon. Taste for lemon taste, if not add more lemon.
- Then add raisins, honey, and then sugar a little at time to taste. Cook for another 15 minutes, then mix gently, uncover and remove from heat.
- Try not to eat right away so flavors can infuse. Tastes better when eaten the second day, but don't overheat. Only reheat what you will eat at that sitting.
- This freezes well.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 815, Fat 29.5, SaturatedFat 10.6, Cholesterol 253.2, Sodium 2801.5, Carbohydrate 86.1, Fiber 10.9, Sugar 60.9, Protein 56.6
UNSTUFFED SWEET-AND-SOUR CABBAGE
Provided by Andrea Albin
Categories Beef Pork Quick & Easy Dinner Dried Fruit Cabbage Simmer Gourmet Dairy Free Wheat/Gluten-Free Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free
Yield Makes 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Place cabbage in a deep 12-inch heavy skillet with broth, 1 garlic clove (sliced), and a rounded 1/4 teaspoon salt. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then cook, covered, turning cabbage occasionally, until very tender, about 45 minutes. (Add more broth or water if necessary.)
- Meanwhile, cook onion and remaining garlic in oil in a heavy medium pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 8 minutes. Increase heat to medium-high and stir in ground meats along with 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring and breaking up lumps with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink, about 3 minutes.
- Stir in tomatoes with their juice, cranberries, vinegar, and brown sugar and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally and breaking up tomatoes with spoon, until slightly thickened, about 20 minutes. Season with salt.
- Pour sauce into skillet with cabbage and simmer, uncovered, 5 minutes. Serve sprinkled with parsley.
Tips:
- Choose the right cabbage: For this recipe, it's best to use a green cabbage, as it holds its shape well during cooking.
- Shred the cabbage finely: This will help it cook evenly and absorb the flavors of the sauce.
- Don't overcrowd the pan: When cooking the cabbage, make sure to spread it out in a single layer in the pan. This will help it cook evenly and prevent it from steaming.
- Use a flavorful broth: The broth you use to cook the cabbage will add a lot of flavor to the dish. Choose a broth that you enjoy the taste of, such as chicken broth, vegetable broth, or beef broth.
- Add some sweetness: The addition of sugar or honey to the sauce will help to balance out the sourness of the vinegar.
- Season to taste: Once the cabbage is cooked, taste the sauce and adjust the seasonings as needed. You may want to add more salt, pepper, or vinegar, depending on your personal preferences.
Conclusion:
Grandma Elaine's Unstuffed Sweet and Sour Cabbage is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. The cabbage is tender and flavorful, and the sauce is sweet, sour, and tangy. This dish is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.
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