Cooking cabbage rolls in tomato sauce on the stovetop can result in a delicious and comforting dish. Here are some tips to help you achieve the best results:
1. Choosing the Cabbage: Select a head of cabbage with large, flexible leaves. To make it easier to remove the leaves, you can blanch the whole cabbage in boiling water for a few minutes until the outer leaves are tender enough to be peeled off.
2. Filling Preparation: Prepare the filling for the cabbage rolls by combining cooked rice, ground meat (beef, pork, or a combination), finely chopped onions, garlic, herbs, and seasonings. Mix everything thoroughly to ensure even flavors.
3. Rolling Technique: Place a spoonful of the filling in the center of each cabbage leaf, fold the sides over the filling, and then roll from the bottom up, creating a tight bundle. Place the seam side down in the pot to prevent them from unwrapping during cooking.
4. Tomato Sauce: Use a good-quality tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes as the base for your cabbage roll dish. You can either use store-bought tomato sauce or make a simple homemade tomato sauce with tomatoes, onions, garlic, herbs, and a little sugar to balance the acidity.
5. Layering: In a large pot, start by spreading a layer of tomato sauce on the bottom. Arrange the cabbage rolls in a single layer, and then top them with more sauce. Continue layering the rolls and sauce until you've used all the cabbage rolls.
6. Simmering: Cover the pot and let the cabbage rolls simmer over low to medium heat. This allows the flavors to meld and the cabbage to cook gently without falling apart. Simmer for about 45 minutes to an hour or until the cabbage rolls are tender and fully cooked.
7. Basting: Every once in a while, baste the cabbage rolls with the tomato sauce from the bottom of the pot to keep them moist and flavorful.
8. Taste and Adjust Seasoning: Before serving, taste the tomato sauce and cabbage rolls. Adjust the seasoning as needed by adding salt, pepper, or other herbs to suit your preference.
9. Serving: Serve the cabbage rolls with a generous ladle of tomato sauce on top. They are delicious on their own, but you can also accompany them with sour cream or yogurt for added creaminess.
Enjoy your homemade cabbage rolls with tomato sauce straight from the stovetop. They make for a hearty and satisfying meal, perfect for cold weather or anytime you crave some comfort food.