Golumpki (Polish Cabbage Rolls)

Dr. Sweetpea's birthday was a few days ago and I made his favorite Polish meal for his birthday dinner. It's definitely a little time consuming but well worth it! Plus, this recipe is his grandmother's and these gems are just amazing. He kept telling me that every bite brought him back to his grandmother's kitchen. I'm so glad these turned out so tasty and will be in our regular rotation going forward.

Source: Dr. Sweetpea's Babcia

2 pounds lean ground beef (I used 93% lean)

1 large onion, finely diced

3 - 4 cloves garlic, finely diced

2 cups parboiled rice***

1 egg

2 large cabbages

Salt

Pepper

Sauce:

2 cans Campbell's Condensed Tomato Soup

2 can-fulls of water

Salt 

Pepper

1/2 - 1 teaspoon paprika

1/2 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1 heaping tablespoon sour cream (optional)

In a large skillet, saute the diced onion in a few tablespoons of vegetable oil until the mixture is translucent. Add in the diced garlic into the onion mixture and cook for 2 - 3 minutes. Set aside, and let cool. 

Meanwhile, bring a big pot of water to boil. Remove the entire core of the cabbages with a paring knife. Immerse the entire cabbage into the boiling water for a few minutes. The cabbage will start to soften and it'll be easier to peel off the leaves since they will be flexible. As you peel off each leaf from the cabbage, set it aside on a plate.

To make the filling: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef with the cooked onion mixture, parboiled rice, egg, salt and pepper. Using your hands, mix thoroughly until mixture is combined.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

To make the cabbage rolls: Lay a soft cabbage leaf flat on a hard surface. Place 1/4 cup of filling near the rib edge of the leaf and roll up toward the outer edge, tucking in the sides as you roll. Place the rolls in a 9x13 inch baking pan, seam side down. Repeat with remaining leaves and meat mixture.

To make the sauce: In a small saucepan, combine the condensed tomato soup with water and bring to a simmer. Add paprika and smoked paprika to taste. Add salt and pepper to taste. Let mixture simmer for another 1 - 2 minutes.

After the sauce is done, pour over the baking pan with cabbage rolls. Cover pan with aluminum foil and bake at 350 for 1 hour. Remove the foil and bake an additional 10 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for 10 - 15 minutes before serving. Pour some of the sauce over the rolls to serve.