Stuffed Cabbage
The Easiest Stuffed Cabbage - Roll Cabbage Made So Simple
Stuffed cabbage, or "Roll Cabbage" (ロールキャベツ) as it’s known in Japan, is a beloved Western-inspired Japanese dish that combines hearty meatloaf filling with the comforting essence of tender cabbage leaves, all simmered in a rich tomato sauce. It’s the perfect fusion of flavors that feels both nostalgic and homey.
Growing up, I have fond memories of helping my mom prepare this dish - carefully peeling off each cabbage leaf and wrapping it around the meat filling. For me, Western-style dishes like this always felt extra special compared to traditional Japanese flavors. Roll Cabbage has a way of bringing warmth to the table, especially during chilly winter evenings.
Now, here’s the good news for those busy with weekday schedules: this recipe simplifies the process! No need to boil individual cabbage leaves or meticulously roll each piece of meat. You’ll still enjoy the same cozy, delicious flavors, but with less time and effort.
RECIPE
Servings: 4-5
Time: 60 min
Ingredients:
1 whole cabbage
1 lb ground beef
1/2 pc onion
salt and pepper
1 pc egg
2 tbsp panko
1 tbsp milk
2 cubes consomme broth
2 cloves garlic
1 can tomato sauce
2 tbsp tomato paste
My Kitchen Tools
Instructions:
Prepare the Meat Mixture:
Finely chop the onion and mix it with the ground beef in a large bowl.Add salt, pepper, panko, milk, and egg, then mix until the ingredients are well combined and the texture is slightly sticky.
Prepare the Cabbage Bowls:
Cut the cabbage in half, then carefully remove the inner leaves. Set aside the 3-4 outer leaves from each half to act as the “bowls.”
From the middle leaves, remove a few more to create smaller cabbage bowls, resulting in 2 large cabbage bowls and 2 smaller bowls.
Stuff the Cabbage:
Fill each cabbage bowl with the meat mixture, pressing it gently into the leaves to form stuffed cabbage “meatloaves.”Prepare the Tomato Sauce:
In a large pot, combine the tomato sauce, consommé cubes, tomato paste, and sliced or smashed garlic. Stir to combine and create a rich sauce base.Cook the Cabbage Meatloaves:
Carefully place the stuffed cabbage bowls into the pot. Arrange the remaining cabbage leaves around the sides to keep the bowls in place and to release extra cabbage juice while cooking.
Cover the pot with a lid and set the heat to low. Let it simmer gently for 50 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the cabbage to soften beautifully.
Serve and Enjoy:
Once cooked, carefully transfer the cabbage meatloaves to a serving dish and spoon some of the tomato sauce over the top.
What is Japanese Roll Cabbage?
In Japanese culinary, "Roll Cabbage" is known as "Rōru Kyabetsu" (ロールキャベツ) or simply "Kyabetsu Rōru" (キャベツロール). It is a popular dish that involves rolling ground meat along in cabbage leaves. The rolled cabbage is then simmered in a flavorful broth or sauce, often with tomatoes.
The dish is a fusion of Japanese and Western culinary elements, reflecting the influence of Western cooking techniques on Japanese cuisine. It is considered a comforting and homey dish, enjoyed especially during colder seasons. The preparation may vary slightly, with different regions or households having their own variations of ingredients and seasonings.
How to Enjoy the Unrolled Cabbage:
Here are some suggestions to complement the flavors of the dish -
Steamed rice or mashed potatoes: Serve your rolled cabbage over a bed of steamed rice or alongside creamy mashed potatoes. The starchiness of these sides complements the savory flavors of the cabbage and meat.
Garlic bread or baguette: Enjoy your rolled cabbage with a side of garlic bread or crusty baguette. The bread can be used to soak up the delicious tomato sauce from the rolled cabbage.
