Sarma, Stuffed Cabbage Leaves From Dalmatia

Total Time: 2 hrs 30 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 2 hrs

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 2 pickled cabbage (you may also use kale for wraping)
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 60 ml smoked bacon, in small pieces (1/4 cup)
• 1 onion, minced
• 1 head garlic, mince the cloves
• 450 g ground beef (1 lb)
• 450 g ground lamb (or ham,1 lb)
• 450 g diced tomatoes (1 lb, not drained)
• 250 ml uncooked rice (1 cup)
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 egg
• salt and pepper, to taste

Recipe

• 1 remove any wilted or bruised leaves from the cabbage and cut out the center core.
• 2 pour boiling water over the cabbages to soften.
• 3 meanwhile, in the oil, sauté the bacon and onion until the bacon is cooked.
• 4 add minced garlic.
• 5 beat the egg and add the salt, pepper, paprika, worcestershire sauce, ground beef, lamb or ham and half the tomatoes.
• 6 add the bacon mixture and rice and combine thoroughly.
• 7 separate the cabbage leaves and drain.
• 8 place a heaping tablespoon of stuffing at the core end of each cabbage leaf and roll up carefully, tucking in the ends.
• 9 layer the rolls in a dutch oven or heavy kettle.
• 10 chop up the small unused leaves and place on top.
• 11 pour the remaining tomatoes and juice over top and add enough water to cover the rolls.
• 12 cover and simmer for 2 to 2-1/2 hours.