Lithuanian Stuffed Cabbage (Balandėliai)

Method

1. 1

   Pre-cook the cabbage

   Simmer the head of cabbage in salted boiling water for 8–10 minutes, then carefully peel off the softened leaves.

   10 min
2. 2

   Partly cook the rice

   Cook the rice until half-done, then drain it and leave it to cool.

   10 min
3. 3

   Fry the onion

   Finely chop the onion and fry it until golden.

   5 min
4. 4

   Mix the filling

   Thoroughly mix the minced meat, rice, onion, egg and seasonings.

   10 min
5. 5

   Roll the parcels

   Cut out the thick veins from the leaves, spoon 2–3 tablespoons of filling onto each, then roll them up.

   25 min
6. 6

   Make the sauce

   Mix the stock, tomato purée, soured cream, flour and bay leaf in a bowl.

   5 min
7. 7

   Braise

   Place the parcels in a pot or baking dish, pour over the sauce and braise on a low heat for about 75 minutes. Alternatively, they can be baked in a 180°C oven for about 1 hour.

   75 min