Ukrainian Holubtsi (cabbage rolls)

ground meat

🥗Healthier: lean turkey

💰Cheaper: ground chicken

Lean turkey reduces fat content while ground chicken is often more affordable.

sour cream

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: plain yogurt

Greek yogurt provides similar creaminess with fewer calories.

tomato sauce

🥗Healthier: homemade tomato puree

💰Cheaper: canned tomatoes

Homemade puree is fresher, while canned tomatoes are cost-effective.

rice

🥗Healthier: quinoa

💰Cheaper: bulgur

Quinoa offers more protein, while bulgur is often less expensive.

Prepare 500 grams of fatty pork and 500 grams of beef for the meat filling.

Pour hot water over the rice and let it sit for a bit.

Chop shallots and grate carrots for the filling.

Caramelize the shallots and grated carrots in a pan until soft and light brown.

For the vegetarian filling, add wild garlic stems and chopped chestnut mushrooms to the mixture.

Steam the cabbage leaves instead of boiling them as traditionally done.

Combine the caramelized shallots and carrots with the meat for the filling, reserving some for the vegetarian version.

Fill each cabbage leaf with the meat or vegetarian filling and roll tightly.

Prepare a sauce using tinned plum tomatoes and add some creme fraiche for creaminess.

Layer the cabbage rolls in a baking dish and cover with the sauce.

Bake in the oven until cooked through.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary