These Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Divide the Table (In a Good Way) | Lei's Kitchen

Tender cabbage rolls filled with pork, beef, apple, herbs, and rice - baked two ways. One is bold and tomato-forward. The other is lighter, umami-driven, and subtly complex. Same filling. Two sauces. Very different personalities.
Which one would you choose?
1. INGREDIENTS
Cabbage
• 1 large green cabbage
• Plus 1 additional cabbage for Batch #2, if needed
Filling
• 1½ lb ground pork
• 1½ lb ground beef
• ½ apple, peeled and finely diced
• 1 large (or 2 medium) onions, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 3 Tbsp butterss (for sautéing onion & garlic)

Filling Seasoning
• 1½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1½ tsp dried marjoram
• ½ tsp paprika
• ¼ tsp caraway seeds
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (pinch)
• 2 Tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped

Sauce #1 - Heavy Tomato-Based (Bold)
Ingredientsss -
2 cups crushed San Marzano tomatoes
½ cup chicken stock
Salt & pepper, to taste
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp onion powder
½ tsp paprika

Sauce #2 - Lighter, Umami-Forward
Ingredientsss
1 cup crushed tomatoes
1-1¼ cups chicken stock
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp fennel seeds
1 tsp soy sauce
2 tsp Korean gochujang (hot sauce)
2 bay leaves

2. INSTRUCTIONS
Prep the Cabbage
1. Cut around and remove the core of the cabbage.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a gentle boil.
3. Add the whole cabbage, cover, and blanch.
4. As leaves loosen, remove them with tongs.
5. Repeat until you have enough leaves.
6. Drain and cool slightly. Sort leaves by size: Large, medium, small.

Make the Filling
7. Heat a large pan over medium heat. Melt 3 Tbsp butter.
8. Sauté onions with a pinch of salt for ~2 minutes until softened.
9. Add garlic, followed by all filling seasoning and parsley. Stir, then remove from heat.
10. In a large bowl, combine pork, beef, diced apple, onion mixture, and rice.
11. Add eggs and mix thoroughly.
12. Microwave a small bite to taste; adjust seasoning if needed.
13. Portion filling into evenly sized logs.

Assemble the Rolls
14. For large cabbage leaves, cut in half and remove thick center rib.
15. Place filling on leaf, roll tightly, tucking in sides.
16. Line baking dish with flattened small cabbage leaves.
17. Arrange rolls seam-side down.

Batch #1 - Sauce #1
18. Simmer all Sauce #1 ingredients over low heat for ~10 minutes.
19. Pour evenly over cabbage rolls.
20. Cover tightly and bake at 350°F (175°C)ss for ss75 minutes, or until bubbling.

Batch #2 - Sauce #2
21. Simmer Sauce #2 ingredients (except bay leaves) covered over low heat for 10 minutes.
22. Add bay leaves.
23. Pour thinner sauce over cabbage rolls.
24. Cover and bake at 350°Fss for 75 minutes, until bubbling.

Serving
• Serve with steamed rice or crusty bread
• Optional: crumbled feta, chopped parsley, sliced green onions