Vegan Cabbage Rolls

Vegan Cabbage Rolls are a homey dish full of big flavors. Tender cabbage leaves are filled with a tasty mixture of rice, lentils, and vegetables and then baked in a hearty tomato sauce. A classic recipe, ground fully plant-based yet still feels warm and nice. The cabbage gets cooked in the oven, and the filling soaks up the sauce, to give you the most flavor-packed bite each time. Vegan Cabbage Rolls are a great family dinner, holiday meal, or meal prep option since they reheat so well.

STATS

• Diet: Vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free option
• Prep time: 25 minutes
• Course: Main dish
• Cuisine: Eastern European-inspired
• Cooking time: 55 minutes
• Serving size: 2 rolls
• Yield: 12 rolls
• Difficulty: Medium
• Total time: almost 1 hour 20 minutes
• Cooking method: Baked

EQUIPMENT

• Large pot for boiling cabbage
• Mixing bowls
• Skillet or pan
• Knife and cutting board
• Baking dish
• Foil or lid

INGREDIENTS

• One huge green cabbage
• A cup of cooked brown rice
• Two teaspoons of olive oil
• One cup of cooked lentils, either brown/green
• A medium-sized onion, chopped
• Two minced garlic cloves
• One medium carrot, grated
• 1 sliced red bell pepper
• One teaspoon of paprika
• A single teaspoon of oregano, dried
• Three cups of crushed tomatoes in a can
• Tomato paste, two tablespoons
• The one teaspoon of dried thyme
• A single spoonful of soy sauce (or tamari if gluten-free)
• A tablespoon of maple syrup
• To taste, add salt and pepper.
• One cup of vegetable broth

INGREDIENT NOTES

Cabbage:

• Green cabbage is best suited to large sizes. After boiling, the leaves must be flexible.

Rice:

• Brown rice cells have a nutty flavor and stand up. The faster-cooking white rice is preferable to some people.

Lentils:

• Use green lentil or brown lentil. Red lentils will become over-soft

Vegetables:

• Onion, carrot & bell pepper texturize, sweeten, and deepen.

Tomato sauce:

• Paste, broth & crushed tomatoes make it a very rich sauce. Apples achieve a balance between acidity and sweetness & this is observed as the synthesis of apple syrup.

Seasonings:

• The paprika, oregano & thyme add a deep, earthy aromatic taste. Adjust with all kinds of spices to taste.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Set the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C).
2. Bring a pan of water to a boil.
3. Cook while the outer leaves are tender, 5 to 7 minutes.
4. Set aside the softened leaves after peeling them off.
5. Keep going till you have twelve to fourteen huge leaves.
6. Now you need to heat up the olive oil in a saucepan.
7. For five minutes, sauté the bell pepper, onion, garlic, and carrot till they are tender.
8. Mix thoroughly.
9. Put the sautéed veggies, cooked rice, and lentils in a mixing dish.
10. Stir till evenly distributed.
11. The filling is this.
12. Mix the crushed tomatoes, paste of tomato, the soy sauce, maple syrup, and vegetables in a separate bowl.
13. The sauce is this.
14. Lay a single cabbage leaf flat.
15. At the base, add 2 to 3 tablespoons of filling
16. Tuck the sides in like a tortilla and roll tightly.
17. Proceed with each leaf.
18. Line the plane surface of a baking dish with a thin coating of sauce.
19. The rolls should be arranged seam-side down.
20. Cover with the remaining sauce.
21. Wrap with foil with lid and bake for 40 minutes, then take off the top.
22. Bake for a further ten to fifteen minutes, till it’s bubbling and beginning to brown.
23. Before serving, let it cool for ten minutes.

TIPS

• To prepare cabbage leaves to roll, remove thick veins using a paring knife.
• Make more sauce, you like your rolls saucy
• Prepare lentils and rice in advance to save time.
• Into it I put fresh parsley or dill to brighten it up.

STORAGE INFORMATION

Refrigerate

• If you want to store the letter, then you can store it just for the four days. Warm back in the oven or in the microwave.

Freezer

• Individual rolls can be stored in a sealed box in the freezer for the next 2 months. Leave to thaw in the fridge and reheat.

FAQs

As an alternative to rice, can I use quinoa?

• Quinoa can be used as a protein substitute, and it works well with the lentils.

Do I need to cook cabbage in advance?

• Yes, boiling makes the leaves soft so that they will not tear during the process of rolling.

Is this oil-free?

• Yeah, fry vegetables in broth rather than oil.

Is it attainable to Benchmark adding more protein?

• Adding chopped mushrooms or tofu may enhance the protein of the filling.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

Calories: 220
Protein: 9 g
Carbohydrates:38 g
Fiber: 9 g
Fat: 5 g
Calcium-6 percent DV
Iron: 15 % DV
Potassium: 680 mg
Sodium: 320 mg