This dish is a celebration of contrasts—the earthiness of the cabbage, the richness of the spiced meat filling, and the creamy brightness of the lemon butter sauce. It’s hearty yet refined, simple yet elegant. Plus, it’s an excellent way to make use of humble, budget-friendly ingredients like cabbage and ground meat, turning them into something truly spectacular.

If you’ve never made cabbage rolls before, this step-by-step guide will walk you through the process, ensuring you achieve beautifully rolled, perfectly cooked parcels that are bursting with flavor.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Cabbage Rolls:

• 1 whole cabbage (large and firm)
• 5 g salt (for blanching cabbage leaves)
• 3 g black pepper (to taste)
• 1 kg minced meat (beef, pork, or a mix)
• 1 onion (finely chopped)
• 10 g sweet paprika (adds warmth and color)
• 5 g nutmeg (for depth of flavor)
• 5 g herbs of Provence (a fragrant blend of Mediterranean herbs)
• 10 g salt (for seasoning the filling)
• 5 g black pepper (to taste)
• 1 liter water (for cooking the rolls)

For the Lemon Butter Sauce:

• 4 egg yolks (for a velvety texture)
• 100 g melted butter (adds richness)
• 10 ml lemon juice (freshly squeezed for tang)
• 50 ml milk (to thin the sauce)
• 10 g sweet paprika (for a subtle sweetness and color)
• Salt and black pepper (to taste)

Prep Time, Cooking Time, and Total Time

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cooking Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Servings and Nutrition Information

• Servings: 6
• Calories per serving: ~400 kcal
• Nutritional Breakdown (per serving):
  • Carbohydrates: 10 g
  • Protein: 35 g
  • Fat: 25 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg

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