Description
Comforting Polish-inspired vegan cabbage rolls reinvent classic comfort food with hearty lentils and savory tomato sauce. Wholesome ingredients combine in a simple, nourishing dish perfect for warming winter meals you’ll want to savor again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein and Grains:
- 1 cup cooked lentils
- 1 cup cooked rice (brown or white)
Vegetables and Base Ingredients:
- 1 small head green cabbage, chopped (about 5 cups)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 medium carrot, shredded
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids, Seasonings, and Sauces:
- 1 can (14.5 ounces / 411 grams) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) tomato sauce
- ½ cup vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Create a flavor base by sautéing diced onions, minced garlic, and grated carrots in olive oil until the vegetables become translucent and fragrant, releasing their aromatic essence.
- Introduce chopped cabbage into the pot, allowing it to soften and wilt gracefully while absorbing the initial layer of seasoned flavors.
- Elevate the dish’s depth by incorporating diced tomatoes, robust tomato sauce, and a splash of vegetable broth, blending in tomato paste for richness.
- Awaken the mixture with a harmonious blend of spices: smoked paprika, oregano, cumin, salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a whisper of red pepper flakes for subtle heat.
- Reduce the heat and let the ingredients meld together, covering the pot to allow gentle simmering that transforms the cabbage into a tender, succulent component.
- Introduce pre-cooked lentils and rice, gently folding them into the saucy mixture, enabling them to absorb the surrounding flavors and become completely integrated.
- Allow the final simmer to marry all ingredients, creating a cohesive, comforting dish that speaks to both nutrition and flavor.
- Conclude by scattering fresh parsley across the top, offering a bright, verdant finish that adds visual appeal and a touch of freshness.
Notes
- Maximize flavor by caramelizing onions and garlic slowly, allowing their natural sweetness to develop and intensify the dish’s overall taste profile.
- Consider using different colored cabbage varieties like red or savoy for added visual appeal and slight variation in texture and nutrients.
- Adjust spice levels by reducing or increasing red pepper flakes, accommodating individual heat tolerance without compromising the recipe’s core flavor.
- For protein diversity, experiment with quinoa or bulgur wheat instead of rice, creating interesting textural and nutritional variations while maintaining the dish’s vegan integrity.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg