Do not add rice to cabbage rolls. Replace it with this ingredient. They will stop falling apart in the pot

Traditional stuffed cabbage rolls consist of pork meat and rice. Usually served with potatoes and topped with tomato sauce, they are a delicious option for dinner. Below you will find two recipes that will change the classic taste of cabbage rolls. Make them for dinner and surprise your family members with new flavors.

How to make a good stuffing for cabbage rolls? Replace rice with a more filling side dish

Many people cannot imagine cabbage rolls without rice. However, it turns out that there is an ingredient that perfectly replaces it. If you add buckwheat to the stuffing, you will get a distinct, slightly nutty taste of the dish, and its consistency will be more compact.. To prepare this version of cabbage rolls, you will need:

• 600 g minced meat (ham, shoulder),
• 2 bags of buckwheat groats,
• 2 medium onions,
• 2 cloves of garlic,
• 1 egg
• 3 tablespoons of olive oil,
• liter of broth,
• tomato concentrate,
• salt, pepper, seasoning for minced meat, sugar,
• medium head of cabbage.
• a bottle of tomato passata.

Start preparing the stuffing by cooking the groats according to the instructions on the package. Transfer it to a large bowl and leave to cool. Then fry finely chopped onion and garlic in olive oil and add to the groats. Add the meat, add the egg, add 3 tablespoons of concentrate, season with salt, pepper, minced meat seasoning and mix everything until the ingredients are combined. Time for the cabbage: cut the core out of it, put it in a large pot and pour boiling water over it. Cook until it begins to soften (approx. 10 minutes). Remove the cabbage, divide the leaves and form cabbage rolls. If they are falling apart, use thread to tie them together. Place a few leaves on the bottom, arrange the cabbage rolls on them and pour the sauce over them (mix the broth with tomato passata, add pepper, salt, a few bay leaves, allspice and a bit of sugar to taste). Cook over low heat for about 90 minutes, checking from time to time.

ADVICE! If you don’t like buckwheat, you can easily replace it with millet, barley or couscous.

Dumplings a la cabbage rolls Quick cabbage rolls without wrapping? Make them like dumplings. Photo NataKor / iStock

Can you make cabbage rolls without meat? Try them and you will fall in love with them

People on a meatless diet do not have to give up traditional dishes. There are many ideas for stuffings that taste as good as the classic ones. If you are looking for a change in the kitchen, try making stuffed cabbage rolls with lentils, mushrooms and vegetables. This plant-based variant of the dish will surely delight everyone in your household. Just cook the lentils and mix them with fried onions and mushrooms. You will add pressed garlic, chopped cooked carrot, some tomato paste and your favorite spices. Cook the cabbage rolls covered with tomato sauce for about 45 minutes over medium heat and the dish is ready. If you feel like it, vote in our poll below.