Valerie’s stuffed cabbage recipe

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Step 2

Heat a sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and swirl to coat the pan. Add the cauliflower rice, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the cauliflower rice has started to soften, about 3 minutes. Turn the heat off and let cool to room temperature.

Step 3

Line a baking sheet with paper towels. Use a paring knife to remove the core from the cabbage. Place the cabbage in the boiling water. Use a rubber spatula to slide under the outer leaf of cabbage and carefully separate it from the head. Use tongs to remove the cabbage leaf to the lined baking sheet. Continue removing leaves in this manner until you have 12. Turn the heat off and reserve the remainder of the cabbage for another use. Set aside the cabbage leaves to cool slightly.

Step 4

Add the ground turkey, cauliflower rice, tomatoes, basil, Italian seasoning, egg, onions and 2 tablespoons parsley to a large bowl. Grate 2 cloves of garlic directly into the bowl and sprinkle the mixture with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Use clean hands to mix the ingredients together until they are well combined. Set aside the mixture.

Step 5

Add the tomato purée, onion powder, remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 cup water to a 4-cup measuring cup. Grate the remaining 2 cloves of garlic directly into the measuring cup. Use a fork to whisk the mixture until it is well combined. Pour half of the mixture into the base of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Set aside the baking dish and reserved sauce.

Step 6

Place one blanched cabbage leaf on a clean work surface. Use a paring knife to cut a V-shaped notch at the base of the cabbage leaf to remove the thick rib. Spoon 1/3 cup meat mixture in the top third of the cabbage leaf. Roll the top of the cabbage leaf over the meat mixture, then fold the sides in, and continue rolling in a continuous motion to create a roll. Place the roll, seam-side down, in the prepared baking dish. Continue the process with the remaining 11 cabbage leaves.

Step 7

Pour the remaining sauce over the cabbage rolls. Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and transfer to the oven to bake until the meat is cooked through, 55 minutes to 1 hour.

Step 8

Garnish with the remaining tablespoon chopped fresh parsley. Serve with the extra sauce spooned over the cabbage rolls.