Vegan cabbage rolls: A step-by-step recipe
Cabbage rolls are a comfort food staple with variations found in many cultures, from Europe to Asia. Traditionally, they can include a mix of meat and rice, but our focus is on a vegan and eggless version. This dish is hearty and nutritious, perfect for those seeking plant-based alternatives. Let's get cooking with this wholesome recipe.
Gather the following ingredients
To prepare these vegan cabbage rolls, you will need one large head of cabbage, two cups of cooked brown rice, one cup of lentils (cooked), one diced onion, two cloves of garlic (minced), one bell pepper (diced), two tablespoons of tomato paste, one teaspoon each of paprika and dried thyme, salt and pepper to taste, and two cups of tomato sauce.
Prepare the cabbage leaves
Start by cutting around the stem of the cabbage to loosen the leaves. Gently peel them away one at a time. Blanch the leaves in boiling water for two minutes until they turn pliable. Remove, drain, and allow them to cool. Lastly, trim the thick veins at each leaf's base to facilitate easier rolling of the cabbage rolls later in the preparation.
Make the filling
In a large bowl, mix the brown rice and lentils. Saute the onion, garlic, and bell pepper until they're soft. Add these to the rice mixture. Then incorporate the tomato paste, paprika, and dried thyme. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir well until all components are evenly combined and the filling is ready for the cabbage leaves.
Roll them up
Begin by placing a cabbage leaf on a flat surface. Spoon approximately two tablespoons of the prepared filling into the center of the leaf. Carefully fold in the sides to cover the filling slightly. Then, starting from the bottom, roll the leaf upward tightly, ensuring that the filling is completely enclosed within the cabbage leaf. This method will secure the filling inside for baking.
Bake your rolls
Heat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Pour half of the tomato sauce into a baking dish that can accommodate all the cabbage rolls in a single layer without them overlapping excessively. Carefully place each roll with the seam side down in the dish. Finally, drizzle the remaining tomato sauce over the rolls to ensure they are completely covered.
