Just like Grandma Makes (Only Easier) – Rumpled Cabbage

I’ve debated posting this recipe. It’s almost sacrilege to mess with stuffed cabbage – but I did it AND it was yummy. My mother-in-law usually comes to my kitchen to make this time-honored dish for holidays and family functions. Recently, in the midst, of a hectic week, we were in need of comfort food. Real comfort food – the kind where the smells and the taste combine to envelop your family in healthy goodness. So, I pulled out my trusty crock pot; tossed the ingredients in and went about my business for the day. The smells and tastes…just like the real thing – only simpler, not quite as pretty, but sooo very tasty.   Viola – rather than neatly stuffed cabbage rolls….introducing deconstructed cabbage rolls, unstuffed, rumpled and absolutely delicious. Quick, scrumptious, healthy and perfect for a weeknight dinner.

Crock Pot Cabbage Casserole (Deconstructed, Rumpled Cabbage Rolls)

Serves 4 – 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound lean ground turkey
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon pimenton (smoky paprika from Spain)
• 1 (7 1/2 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 cup water or chicken stock
• 1/2 cup long grain rice
• 1 (15 ounce) can petite diced tomatoes, with liquid
• 4 cups shredded cabbage (short on time use 12 ounce bag prepared cabbage for coleslaw)

Preparations

1. In a large non-skillet, brown the turkey. Remove turkey to a bowl. Drain most of the fat from the pan and discard.  In the skillet saute the onion for 5 minutes until soft; stir in garlic, salt,  pepper and pimenton (about 2 minutes).
2. Stir the onion mixture into turkey to combine, along with the tomato sauce. Add the rice and water. Mix well.
3. In crock pot layer 1/2 meat mixture, 1/2 cabbage. Pour the diced tomatoes and their liquid over the mixture and cover.
4. Cook on high for 4-6 hours, or low for 8-10 hours. Taste and adjust seasonings prior to serving.

Heresy right! Stuffed cabbage without the blanching, cooling, rolling or lining a pot. Call this recipe heaven for busy cooks who want to savor stuffed cabbage without the fuss. The question is dare I serve this to my mother-in-law….

Mama Says Reminder: With Valentine’s Day around the corner, we wanted to encourage you to give healthy gifts to those you love. Our “No More Frozen Pizza” recipe collection is ideal for anyone on your Valentine’s list who is striving to eat healthier, cook at home more often and avoid processed foods.

Buon appetito!

Enjoyed this post? See these:

1. St. Patrick’s Day Stuffed Cabbage Recipe
2. Chinese Cabbage Salad – budget and waistline friendly
3. Thrifty Thursday Fresh Stuffed Pepper Recipe

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Tags: crock pot dinner, pimenton, quick and healthy dinner, stuffed cabbage deconstructed, stuffed cabbage recipe, valentine's day gift

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 27th, 2010 at 7:01 am and is filed under Mama Says, Recipes. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.