This is another comfort food, perfect for cold, snowy, winter days.
I used to make it often for my friends in the makeshift kitchen I assembled in my two-room Bachelor Officers’ Quarters suite in Anchorage, Alaska.
For some reason, Air Force bachelor officers weren’t authorized kitchens; we were supposed to eat at the Officers’ Club. It was the late 1960s. Presumably things have changed since then.
You’d be surprised at all the meals I was able to cook using a toaster oven, a CorningWare electric skillet, and a one-element hot plate. It was widely known that the bachelor officers were cooking in their quarters, but the Fire Marshall couldn’t open closet doors or desk drawers when making fire inspections so these were good hiding places for cooking equipment.
I have no idea where I originally got this recipe for Stuffed Cabbage Rolls but over the years I’ve made it my own. I think it has a wonderful, special flavor because of the raisins. It contains most everything you need for a complete meal: fruit, vegetables, protein, grain. And, a serving (consisting of two cabbage rolls and sauce) is under 500 calories. What more would you want? Here’s the way I make it:
Stuffed Cabbage Roll Recipe
| Ingredients | Calories |
| 1 lb. 96/4 lean ground beef | 600 |
| 1 c. Kraft White Minute Rice | 400 |
| 6 Tbsp. raisins | 186 |
| 1 lg. onion, chopped (about 1 cup) | 66 |
| 2 eggs, beaten | 156 |
| 2 Tbsp. brown sugar | 102 |
| 1 head cabbage (you’ll only use 8 large leaves) | 64 |
| 1 tsp. salt | 0 |
| 2 cans (14 oz each) tomato sauce | 315 |
| 1/4 c. lemon juice | 16 |
| Water | |
| Toothpicks or short skewers | |
| Total for ingredients: | 1905 |
| Calories for 2 cabbage rolls: | 476 |
|
Method: Bring a large kettle of water to boil. Cook separated cabbage leaves until just transparent but still holding together. You should be able to easily roll the leaves but they should be so soft that they fall apart. Drain and set aside. You will only need 8 large leaves, however, it is best to cook extra so that you have spare in case some are damaged beyond repair. Combine the meat, eggs, rice, salt, and half of the raisins. Divide into 8 equal parts, rolling each part into a ball-shape. Cover each roll with a cabbage leaf insuring that no meat is exposed. Secure with a toothpick or skewer. Combine tomato sauce, onions, lemon juice, sugar, and the other half of the raisins in a deep pot. Place the cabbage rolls into the sauce and add a little water. Simmer over low heat for 1-1/2 to 2 hours. Turn cabbage rolls after 1 hour of cooking to make sure all the meat is being cooked. |
Complete this meal with a 4-oz goblet of some nice red wine (85 calories) and a piece of French bread (100 calories), if you like. Or, have a goblet of fresh, clear, cold water with a slice of lime to keep your meal under 500 calories.