Documented recipe

Romanian Cabbage Sarmale with Pork and Rice

Romanian cabbage rolls filled with pork, rice, onion and garlic, cooked with tomato sauce.

Sarmale are made with different kinds of meat and can also be wrapped in grape leaves. This version uses pork and cabbage leaves. The quantities make about four servings; preparation time is an estimate.

Total time71 min
DifficultyIntermediate
servings4
Romanian Cabbage Sarmale with Pork and Rice
Image generated by the Kitchenpause team

Ingredient allergens

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Take your time

Method

  1. 01

    Blanch the leaves

    Bring water to a boil and blanch the cabbage leaves for about 30 seconds. Remove them and drain carefully.

    Ready to continue when: The leaves are soft enough to fold without tearing.

    1 min
  2. 02

    Cook the filling

    Put the chopped onion in a frying pan and cook until softened. Add the pork and stir; mix in the rice and garlic. Add the tomato sauce, cover and cook for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

    Ready to continue when: The pork is fully cooked and the rice is tender; the filling is moist but has no loose liquid.

    20 min
  3. 03

    Wrap the filling

    Place a portion of the filling on each cabbage leaf. Fold the sides over the filling and roll the leaf into a parcel.

    Ready to continue when: All eight rolls are closed, with the filling fully enclosed.

    10 min
  4. 04

    Steam the rolls

    Arrange the rolls in a steamer over boiling water and steam for about 20 minutes.

    Ready to continue when: The leaves are tender and the rice in the filling is tender when tasted.

    20 min

Sources and review

Content researched, cross-checked and automatically validated. Sources consulted:

  1. Higiene de los alimentos www.aesan.gob.es/seguridad-alimentaria/higiene-alimentos
  2. 7 Easy Romanian Recipes My Grandma Makes • Teacake Travels www.teacaketravels.com/easy-romanian-recipes/
  3. A Beginner’s Guide to Romanian Traditional Food travelue.com/romanian-traditional-cuisine-food-guide-1662/
  4. Traditional Romanian Food - The Wandering CubicleThe Wandering Cubicle www.thewanderingcubicle.com/food/traditional-romanian-food/
  5. Romanian Food Dishes - True Romania true-romania.tours/romanian-food-dishes/
  6. Romanian food – 10 traditional dishes you should try - Boutique Romania boutiqueromania.com/romanian-food-10-traditional-dishes-you-should-try/
  7. What and How to Eat in Romania: 12 Dishes Locals Want You to Try - Romanian Friend www.romanianfriend.com/blog/what-to-eat-in-romania-food-guide
  8. 10 Best Meat Dishes in Romania - TasteAtlas www.tasteatlas.com/best-rated-meat-dishes-in-romania
  9. The Best Romanian Main Dishes - Uncover Romania www.uncover-romania.com/gastronomy/romanian-recipes/mains/
  10. Comida rumana: las once mejores recetas de la gastronomía de Rumanía www.directoalpaladar.com/cultura-gastronomica/comida-rumana-once-mejores-recetas-gastronomia…
  11. Romanian Food and Romanian Recipes | olivemagazine www.olivemagazine.com/travel/europe/cook-like-a-local-romania/
  12. Romania Gastronomy. Popular dishes and artisan foods of Romania www.romaniatourism.com/romanian-food-wine.html
  13. - YouTube www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldM_wlWFF_Y

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