Weightwatchers Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

These are an Eastern European dish that I have tried a few times and i absolutely love them. 

However, while looking for a recipe for these, it was really difficult because it appears that every country and every family within that country makes them to suit their own taste. 

So because I had them in Poland, im going with a version of the Polish Stuffed Cabbage Rolls or better known as gołąbki. 

I originally got the recipe from www.magdascouldron.blogspot.com  Magda makes beautiful food and her blog is in English and in Polish. 

Now Magda, i think is not a Weightwatchers judging by the amount of beautifully tempting cakes on her blog, however these were actually quite healthy and versatile and the main point to remember with these stuffed cabbage rolls is to do with the amount of rice you use and the type of mince you use.  The other ingredients are nearly all 0 Weightwatchers Propoints. 

Now i must mention a key point here.  I don't actually like Cabbage.  Yes, im aware im Irish and surely this is a vital gene im supposed to have.  Well i guess i was on holiday when this gene was being distributed. 

Nevertheless, these are really tasty and i love them.  If your unsure about trying foods from different countries, give these a try and it will change your opinion. 

Ireland is so diverse now, it would be a real shame to not indulge in the beautiful cuisines that is now so readily accessible to us now.  I have to say Poland had some of the tastiest cakes ive ever tasted, and ive tasted quite a few but there not really Weightwatchers friendly but as a treat their really worth it. 

Anyways back to these cabbage rolls.

Weightwatchers Propoints per Roll 2

Weightwatchers Propoints per Recipe 20

Weightwatchers Propoints per Serving 4

Serves 5

Ingredients 

15 Cabbage Leaves.  I bought mine ready softened and jarred in the Polish Shop beside Lidl on the Walkinstown Road.  I wasn't sure of the name of them but i asked for the Cabbage Leaves in the Jar to make  gołąbki.  and the assistant was very helpful so maybe do the same. 

120g of rice, any rice you desire

400g of 95% lean Beef mince, i got mine in Dunnes Stores, but you can use any type, just Propoint it and adjust to ensure of the propoints. 

18 mushrooms thinly sliced

2 carrots grated 

1 onion diced

3 cloves of garlic

2 chillis thinly sliced and deseeded

Salt and pepper to taste

1 tsp of chili powder

2 tsp of Vegata (optional, i also bought this in the Polish shop, its litterally just a seasoning)

Boiling water

Spray oil

Directions

Cook the rice as per pack instructions.  Rinse each cabbage leaf under cold water.  Place 5 leaves flat on to the bottom of a large pot.  

In a large non stick pan, mist with a little spray oil and add the garlic and cook over a medium heat until golden.  Add the onion and the chili peppers and all the herbs and spices and season well with salt and pepper.

Add the mince (this is my version, usually its uncooked).  When its brown, remove from heat and add the drained rice, mushrooms and grated carrot.  Toss the mixture together. 

Roll out one cabbage leaf at a time and spoon 3 Tbl of the mixture onto the middle of the cabbage leaf.  Roll from the bottom and tuck the sides in as you go alone.  Now the cabbage can break easily so go gentle but try to get them nice and tight aswell.  

Once rolled place them seam side down in the pot ontop of the flat cabbage leaves.  Repeat until all the mince is used up.

Make sure that the cabbage leaves are only on 1 layer because it will fall apart.   Cover with boiling water so that the water just skims past the top of the cabbage rolls.  Set the heat unto simmer and cover for 1 hour. 

Remove carefully so that you don't rip them and use a draining spoon as you do. 

You can serve this with bread or you can top it off with your favourite tomato or ive heard mushrooms sauce. 

Enjoy the Niptuck way, so you don't have too!