Balandėliai -- Lithuanian Cabbage Rolls

ground meat

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground beef

Ground turkey is leaner and lower in fat.

sour cream

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: cream cheese

Greek yogurt reduces calories while maintaining creaminess.

fresh dill

🥗Healthier: dried dill

💰Cheaper: parsley

Dried dill is more accessible and less expensive.

tomato paste

🥗Healthier: crushed tomatoes

💰Cheaper: ketchup

Crushed tomatoes provide a fresher taste.

Separate cabbage leaves and cook in salted boiling water until pliable.

Half cook rice in boiling water for about 10 minutes, then strain and rinse with cold water.

Mix half cooked rice, crumbled pork, chopped onion, salt, and pepper in a bowl until well combined.

Blanch cabbage leaves and peel them off gently from the head of cabbage.

Place a spoonful of filling on each cabbage leaf, fold, and roll tightly.

Lightly flour the rolled cabbage and fry in hot oil until browned on both sides.

Pack the fried cabbage rolls tightly in a pot, drizzle with water, and cover.

Simmer for about 40 minutes, then add tomato and sour cream to thicken the sauce.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: