Description
Sarma is a traditional Serbian dish featuring spicy sour cabbage leaves stuffed with a savory mixture of ground beef, rice, and smoked bacon, baked to perfection.
Ingredients
Units
- 20 small sour cabbage leaves
- 1 lb (450g) minced beef
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 small carrot, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup (50g) rice
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Ground chili (aleva paprika), to taste
- 7 tbsp (105ml) vegetable oil
- 4 slices smoked bacon or other smoked meat, chopped
- 1 cup (240ml) beef broth
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Wash the cabbage leaves and carefully remove the hard stem at the bottom of each leaf without tearing them. Set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat 2 tbsp of vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and fry until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the minced beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon, about 8-10 minutes.
- Add the chopped carrot, rice, salt, pepper, and ground chili to the beef mixture. Stir well to combine and cook for another 5 minutes.
- Place a spoonful of the beef mixture onto each cabbage leaf, fold the sides over the filling, and roll up tightly.
- In a large baking dish, arrange the cabbage rolls seam side down. Scatter the chopped smoked bacon over the rolls.
- In a bowl, mix the beef broth with the tomato paste and pour over the cabbage rolls.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 2 hours, or until the cabbage is tender and the flavors have melded together.
- Remove the foil for the last 15 minutes of cooking to allow the top to brown slightly.
Notes
- For a spicier version, add more ground chili to taste.
- Sarma can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
- Serve with a dollop of sour cream for added richness.
- If sour cabbage leaves are unavailable, blanch fresh cabbage leaves in salted water for 2-3 minutes until pliable.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Serbian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 75mg