My Baba's Holubtsi & Mushroom Sauce

ground meat

🥗Healthier: lean turkey

💰Cheaper: ground chicken

Lean turkey reduces fat content while ground chicken is often less expensive.

sour cream

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: cream cheese

Greek yogurt lowers calories and adds protein, while cream cheese is often more affordable.

tomato sauce

🥗Healthier: homemade tomato puree

💰Cheaper: canned tomatoes

Homemade puree is fresher, while canned tomatoes are budget-friendly.

cabbage

🥗Healthier: collard greens

💰Cheaper: kale

Collard greens provide similar texture and nutrients, while kale is often cheaper.

Prepare a pot of boiling water for blanching the cabbage.

Remove the core from the cabbage to help the leaves loosen.

Submerge the cabbage in boiling water until the leaves start to loosen, checking with a fork for doneness.

Once the leaves are pliable, remove them from the water and set them aside.

Cut the large cabbage leaves into smaller pieces, typically into three sections for easier rolling.

Prepare the filling by mixing ground meat, cooked rice, sautéed onions, grated carrots, minced garlic, dill, salt, and black pepper in a bowl.

Place a spoonful of the filling on each cabbage leaf and roll tightly, tucking in the sides to secure the filling.

Arrange the rolls seam-side down in a large pot, layering with bay leaves and any remaining cabbage leaves.

Pour tomato sauce over the rolls and add enough water to cover them halfway.

Cover the pot and simmer on low heat for about 1.5 hours, or until the meat is cooked through.

Prepare a mushroom sauce to serve with the golubtzi, using sautéed mushrooms and possibly additional ingredients as desired.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens