Italian Cabbage Rolls

This superfood: Cabbage rolls, are paired with brown rice and red rice to make a great cold weather comfort food!

Low in fat. High in taste and vegetarian!

High in fiber and nutrition, easy step by step instructions.

Makes a large batch, freeze the extra rolls for weekday dinners or casual company.

Core a med. size cabbage

Place core side down in a large saucepot.

Fill 3/4 full of water.

Cover and bring to a boil.

Reduce heat to a med. simmer and cook for 1/2 hr.

Drain pot into a colander.

Allow to cool to the touch,

Begin to remove leaves one at a time.

While cabbage cooks.

Cook 2 cups of rinsed brown rice until almost cooked.

Drain and allow to cool to the touch.

This should yield approx. 4 cups of cooked rice

*I mixed brown and red rice together for max fiber and protein*

Saute in a saucepan

1 tbsp. EVOO

1 peeled diced carrot

1 peeled diced onion, med. size

1 celery rib, diced

1/2 of a pepper, seeded, diced

1/4 cup flat leaf parsley, chopped

5-6 mushrooms, diced finely

1 tsp each salt & pepper

Heat the oil, add onion, carrot and celery sauté for 5 min.

Add the remaining vegetables, herbs and seasonings.

Cook stirring for another 5 min.

Allow to cool to the touch

2 tbsp. EVOO

1 small onion, diced

1 clove garlic, chopped

3 stems flat leaf parsley, chopped

1 tsp oregano

3 cups tomato puree

1tbsp tomato paste

1 tsp each salt & pepper

1/2 cup water

While you are preparing all the other steps:

Saute onion and garlic in the oil on med. heat.

When fragrant add the tomato sauce.

Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a med. simmer

Add paste, herbs and seasonings.

When the mixture comes to a boil add the water.

Reduce heat to a slow simmer and cook for another 15 min.

Turn off.

In a large bowl;

Add rice, veggies, 1 cup of prepared sauce, 2 lg eggs and 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella, 1/2 tsp each of salt and pepper if desired.

Mix and taste for seasonings.

Place a cooled leaf on a flat plate.

Cut out the rib.

Place a large scoop of filling on the cut edge closest to you.

Fold the sides over.

Begin to roll away from you.

Place another 1/2-3/4 cup of sauce on the bottom of a casserole dish or crockpot

Place finished rolls inside dish.

Cover with sauce.

Continue until all the large leaves of cabbage are stuffed with filling.

*This recipe makes more servings that you can freeze*

*When you get to the center of the cabbage, you can chop up the cabbage and sauté for another meal*

Bake covered in foil, in a preheated 350F for 1 hr.

Remove foil, bake for another 45min-1hr.

*Crockpot; follow the steps up to #7. Place in sauce lined crockpot with lid. Cook on low for 4-6hrs*

Serve with extra sauce if desired.