Healthy Cabbage Rolls

Today I bring you a spin of  classic European dish, cabbage rolls. Here in Portugal, traditionally a cabbage roll is made with fresh whole sausages wrapped in the cabbage. In fact there are many variations of the cabbage roll and most countries have made their own versions not only of the stuffing but the sauce as well. I decided on slightly less traditional but more healthy version of this popular dis. Using a simple tomato sauce recipe I picked up from Jamie Oliver, which is easy to do, and adapts well to any dish using tomato sauce.

Note: The picture didn't turn out so well, but I think you can get the idea.

Ingredients:

1 small cabbage (for two servings 6 of the biggest leaves)

150 g of boneless chicken breast

2 small onions

1 clove of garlic

2 strips of bacon (optional)

100 g of Brown Rice

1/4 cup of tomato sauce

3 basil leaves

parsley

salt

pepper

paprika

olive oil

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Simple Tomato Sauce

1small diced onion

1 tsp. Harissa hot chili paste (optional)

1/2 cup white wine

Preparation:

Preheat oven at 200ºC

In large pot of boiling salted water, blanch cabbages for about 5 minutes, or carefully remove the outer leaves and blanch separately  or until leaves are softened. Remove and chill under cold water.

Prepare rice: In a small saucepan add a bit of olive oil the minced onion and the tomato sauce, stir for about 2 minutes. Add the rice and allow to be covered by the mixture for a couple minutes, season and cover with the necessary water. Cook until the water has evaporated. Let cool.

In a food processor add the onion, garlic, basil, parsley so that it is finely chopped. Remove and set in a bowl. Place the chicken breast and bacon to the food processor and pulse until all the meat in minced. Add to the onion mix and season with the paprika, salt and pepper. Mix well. Add the rice to the mixture.

Spoon about 2 tablespoons of mixture onto each cabbage leaf. Bring one end of cabbage leaf over mixture, roll and tuck ends in to prevent any filling from falling out.

Prepare the sauce: In a skillet with a bit of olive oil add the onion. Sauté for a couple of minutes. Add the Simple Tomato Sauce and the Harissa Hot Chili Paste. Stir and allow the flavors to blend well. Check for seasoning.

In a deep oven dish, place a bit of the sauce, and cover with remaining cabbage leaves. Place rolls over the leaves. Cover with remainder sauce and white wine. Place in preheated oven for 40 minutes. 

Serve hot.