Prepare to embark on a culinary journey that will transport you straight to the cozy kitchens of Ukraine! Golubtsi, traditional cabbage rolls filled with hearty millet, are not just a dish – they're a delicious piece of cultural heritage that promises to warm your soul and tantalize your taste buds. These tender, flavorful rolls are the ultimate comfort food that combines simple ingredients with generations of cooking wisdom, making them a perfect meal for family gatherings or a comforting dinner that feels like a warm embrace.
Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 1 hrs
Total Time: 1 hrs 30 mins
Cuisine: Ukrainian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 large head of cabbage
- 1 cup millet
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 carrot, grated
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 can tomato sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the cabbage by carefully removing the outer leaves. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and carefully blanch the cabbage leaves for 2-3 minutes until they become soft and pliable. Remove and drain on clean kitchen towels.
- Rinse the millet thoroughly under cold water. In a medium saucepan, combine millet with vegetable broth and bring to a simmer. Cook for 15-20 minutes until the millet is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- In a large skillet, sauté chopped onions and minced garlic in a little oil until translucent. Add grated carrot and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes. Mix the sautéed vegetables with the cooked millet.
- Season the millet mixture with salt and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to ensure even distribution of seasonings.
- Take each cabbage leaf and place a spoonful of the millet mixture near the stem end. Fold the sides of the leaf inward and roll tightly to create a compact cabbage roll.
- Arrange the cabbage rolls seam-side down in a large baking dish or Dutch oven. Pour tomato sauce over the rolls, ensuring they are evenly covered.
- Cover the baking dish with a lid or aluminum foil. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 45-60 minutes until the cabbage is tender and the sauce is bubbling.
- Remove from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired and serve hot.
Tips
- Choose Fresh Cabbage: Select a cabbage head with large, flexible leaves for easier rolling and wrapping.
- Blanching Technique: When softening cabbage leaves, don't overcook them. They should be pliable but not falling apart.
- Millet Preparation: Rinse millet thoroughly to remove any bitter coating and ensure a fluffy, clean-tasting filling.
- Tight Rolling: When forming cabbage rolls, fold the sides in first and roll tightly to prevent the filling from escaping during baking.
- Sauce Coverage: Make sure the cabbage rolls are well-covered with tomato sauce to keep them moist and flavorful.
- Resting Time: Let the golubtsi rest for 10 minutes after baking to allow the flavors to settle and make serving easier.
- Optional Enhancements: Consider adding a dollop of sour cream or fresh herbs like dill or parsley before serving for extra flavor.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 8g
Fat: 5g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 0mg
