Stuffed cabbage is one of the most beloved traditional Hungarian dishes that many European countries have adopted in different ways in their own cuisines. Being Hungary’s oldest crop dating back almost eight millennia, cabbage arguably is a product of Slavic culture that has long been a focal point in the country’s cuisine.

This Typical Hungarian Dish Was Once Called ‘Cabbage Meat’

Although the first written mention of the so-called ‘cabbage meat’ (that wasn’t ‘stuffed’) was in a 1662 manuscript cookbook, the dish was already vastly popular in Hungary. In fact, people even called it the “Coat of Arms of Hungary.” Some people claim that the recipe came from the Turks and quickly spread around the Balkans, but history is still inconclusive.

Before paprika came to Europe, cabbage meat wasn’t yet prepared with sauerkraut, but people rather used saffron, ginger, and pepper to season the dish. Hungarian people later developed a dill sour cream side to complement the recipe, thus creating a new typical Christmas meal. Years later, the rolled stuffed cabbage appeared.

How to Prepare Stuffed Cabbage

Ingredients

• 1 head cabbage or the equivalent amount of sauerkraut leaves
• 200g rice
• 500g minced meat
• 500-600g sauerkraut
• 2 tablespoons condensed tomatoes
• 2 eggs
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 3 onions
• bacon and/or sausages (based on your preference)
• ground red pepper
• bay leaf
• cumin
• pepper and salt to taste

Directions

If you’ve chosen to use fresh cabbage, you’ll need to cut the bottom of the head and place it in a pot of water until the leaves are soft enough to fold into rolls. Then, mix the uncooked rice and minced meat with the condensed tomatoes, 2 eggs, 1 onion, and 1 clove of garlic.

Fill the cabbage leaves with that mixture and layer the rolls into a large greased pan. Put the remaining diced onions, garlic, and cabbage in between the layers of rolls. Don’t forget to season every row with salt, pepper, cumin, bay leaves, and Hungarian paprika. Pack the rolls neatly and cover the dish with water, so it covers all the rolls.

Cook over medium to low heat for about two hours (covered) and then check periodically until it’s cooked through. You can serve with sour cream, tomato paste, or a topping of your choice. Enjoy!

Staying indoors on a holiday that’s typically marked by having a fun day out with friends and family certainly doesn’t sound easy or fun. But luckily, there are many ways to enjoy and celebrate this holiday indoors as well!

Thanks to the hard work and dedication of museums, national parks, and other tourist destinations, it’s possible to take virtual tours that can provide entertainment and let us see something new and beautiful from the comfort of our homes. If anyone’s interested in seeing some of the wonders of Ireland, several options are just a click away!

Excellent Virtual Tours for St. Patrick’s Day

The Guinness Storehouse virtual tour may be one of the most fitting options for this iconic holiday. Guinness is one of the most famous Irish beers in the world, and for many beer lovers out there, a virtual tour of their storehouse in Dublin can be a real treat. The brewery tour is readily available for viewing on YouTube. Another great option is a tour of the Jamesson distillery located in Midleton.

Must-See Tours for Any Occasion

When looking for something to do on this year’s St. Patrick’s Day or on any other day, virtual tours of Ireland are a fun treat. For the book-lovers out there, a virtual tour of the Long Room at the Library of Trinity College in Dublin is always a great choice. The library is well known for its impressive collection, amazing architecture, and possesses some of the world’s oldest books. Many museums, castles, and historical sites have online virtual tours available as well.

For those that prefer to look at the grandeur and majesty of nature, there are amazing virtual tours of the Cliffs of Moher, the Irish National Heritage Park, and even charming towns and villages such as Downpatrick, Cookstown, and many others. Most of these options are available and free to view on YouTube, Virtual Visit Tours, and similar platforms!