Il Cucinologo
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Oriental-style Savoy Cabbage Rolls

17/11/2023

Oriental-style Savoy cabbage rolls are a dish that blends the tradition of cabbage leaf cooking with the flavors of Eastern cuisine. Here is a recipe with an Italian twist that I like.

Ingredients

  • 12 large Savoy cabbage leaves
  • 300 g ground meat (beef or pork)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 egg
  • 80 g long-grain rice
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
  • 1 carrot, grated
  • An Italian touch: grated Parmesan, to taste.
  • Sesame oil
  • Soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
  • 250 ml chicken or vegetable broth
  • Extra virgin olive oil

For the sauce:

  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch dissolved in 2 tablespoons water
  • Sesame seeds and fresh scallion for garnish

Preparation

  1. Start by blanching the Savoy cabbage leaves in salted water for about 3-4 minutes. Then drain and let them cool.

  2. Meanwhile, mix the ground meat, onion, garlic, egg, uncooked rice, salt, pepper, sweet paprika and, for a distinctive Italian touch, add some grated Parmesan.

  3. Take a cabbage leaf and place a portion of the prepared filling in the center. Fold in the sides and roll it up to form a roll. Repeat the process for all the cabbage leaves.

  4. Arrange the rolls in a large pot with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and sear for a few minutes, then add the grated ginger and moisten with soy sauce and a dash of sesame oil.

  5. Pour in the broth to cover the rolls and let them cook covered over medium heat for about 40 minutes.

  6. Meanwhile, prepare the sauce by mixing the soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, rice vinegar and finally the cornstarch dissolved in cold water.

  7. Pour the sauce over the rolls and let everything thicken, stirring gently.

  8. Serve the oriental-style Savoy cabbage rolls hot, garnished with sesame seeds and scallion sliced into rounds.

Although this is not a traditionally Italian recipe, the addition of Parmesan is a small gesture that brings the dish closer to the flavors we are used to.

Fun Fact

Savoy cabbage, or white cabbage, is used in various culinary cultures around the world, often adapting fillings to local traditions. Cabbage rolls are a very versatile dish: in Italy, for example, they are commonly made with a meat and rice filling, cooked in a tomato sauce and served with polenta.