Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Ingredients

• 1 large head green cabbage (about 3 lb)
• 1 lb ground beef (85/15)
• 1/2 lb ground pork
• 1 cup cooked white rice
• 1 yellow onion, grated
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
• 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced, for the pot

Before you cook

• Cut the core out of the cabbage with a paring knife.
• Grate one onion, thinly slice the other, and mince the garlic.
• Chop the dill.

Steps

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and lower the whole cabbage into it core side down.
2. Simmer the cabbage for 4 minutes, then use tongs to peel off the outer leaves as they loosen, returning the head to the water as you go.
3. Continue until you have 16 to 18 pliable leaves, then drain them on a towel.
4. Shave the thick rib off the back of each leaf with a paring knife so it rolls easily.
5. Mix the ground beef, ground pork, cooked rice, grated onion, garlic, egg, salt, pepper, paprika and dill in a large bowl until just combined.
6. Whisk the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, brown sugar, lemon juice and vinegar together in another bowl to make the sauce.
7. Heat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
8. Oil a Dutch oven, scatter the sliced onion across the bottom, and pour in a cup of the sauce.
9. Place about a third of a cup of filling near the stem end of a leaf, fold in the sides, and roll it up tightly, then set it seam side down in the pot.
10. Repeat with the remaining leaves and filling, packing the rolls in snugly in two layers.
11. Pour the rest of the sauce over the rolls so they are nearly covered.
12. Cover the pot and bake for 1 hour and 45 minutes, until the cabbage is very tender and the filling is cooked through.
13. Let the pot stand for 15 minutes, then serve the rolls with plenty of sauce spooned over.