Stuffed Cabbage Croquettes are a delicious fusion of Eastern European comfort food and crispy, bite-sized croquettes. They’re perfect as an appetizer or main dish. Here’s a recipe-style breakdown to inspire you:
🥬 Stuffed Cabbage Croquettes Recipe
Ingredients
For the Cabbage Leaves:
- 1 large head of green cabbage (Savoy or regular)
- Salt, for blanching
For the Filling:
- 1/2 lb (225g) ground beef or pork (or a mix)
- 1/2 cup cooked rice
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 egg
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: 1 tsp paprika, 1 tbsp chopped parsley
For the Croquette Coating:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (plain or panko)
- Oil for frying
Optional Sauce for Serving:
- Tomato sauce (classic Eastern European style with a hint of sugar and vinegar)
- Sour cream with dill
- Spicy mustard aioli
🔪 Instructions
- Prepare the Cabbage Leaves:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Carefully peel 10–12 cabbage leaves from the head.
- Blanch leaves for 2–3 minutes until flexible, then drain and pat dry.
- Make the Filling:
- In a bowl, combine ground meat, rice, onion, garlic, egg, and seasonings.
- Mix well until fully combined.
- Stuff and Roll:
- Cut out the thick stem part of each leaf.
- Place a spoonful of filling at one end of each leaf and roll up, folding in the sides like a burrito.
- Optional: refrigerate rolls for 30 minutes to firm them up.
- Coat the Croquettes:
- Dredge each stuffed roll in flour, then dip in beaten egg, then coat in breadcrumbs.
- Optional: double coat for extra crunch.
- Fry:
- Heat 1/2 inch of oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Fry the croquettes until golden brown and crisp on all sides (3–4 minutes per side).
- Drain on paper towels.
- Serve:
- Serve warm with a dollop of sour cream, a drizzle of tomato sauce, or a punchy dipping sauce.
🔄 Variations
- Vegetarian version: Use mushrooms, lentils, or tofu instead of meat.
- Baked version: Bake in a 400°F (200°C) oven for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway, until crisp.
- Cheesy twist: Add a cube of mozzarella or cheddar in the center of the filling.
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