One of the favorite meals my mother used to make for our family when I was growing up was Cabbage Rolls. My father loved the meat but not the cabbage. I loved the cabbage but not the meat, so we used to trade. I'd give him my meat and he would give me his cabbage. Everyone was happy. Mom used to cook carrots and potatoes in the pot along with the cabbage rolls. It was a rib sticking meal in one!
Cabbage and cabbage rolls remain a real favorite in my home to this day, although admittedly there are times when I am just craving the flavor of them but hesitate to make them as they are a LOT of work.
There is a cabbage and sausage casserole I make which is called Stuffed Cabbage Trou Style and its just gorgeous. The other day I got to thinking . . . what if I used the same principle except adapted it to use Cabbage roll flavours . . . and we all know what happens then. I just had to give it a go!
It turned out to be quite delicious! I am so glad that I made it. It was a lot less trouble than regular cabbage rolls, and yet it had the flavor of cabbage rolls, compacted into a round cake that you can cut into wedges.
You will want to use a good quality sausage with this. I like Debbie & Andrew's Sausages myself. They are meaty and organic and gluten free, and their Cumberland are just filled with flavor. I like to know what is in my sausage and these are quite simply fabulous. In any case I hope you will give this a go! I think you will find it's delicious, simple to make and a real family pleaser.
*Lazy Cabbage Roll Bake*
Serves 4Printable Recipe
I adapted my recipe for Stuffed Cabbage Trou Style to incorporate flavours I grew up with. It was delicious
3 to 41/2 pounds of cabbage, cut into thin strips
1 1/2 pounds of good quality, free range sausages (you will want a well flavoured one.
I like Cumberland Sausage, but a spicy Italian would also work well)
salt and pepper to taste
butter1 415g tin of chopped tomatoes in tomato juice, undrained (14 oz tin)
Pre-heat the oven to 150*C/300*F. Generously butter a large casserole dish. Set aside. Cut a piece of greaseproof paper to fit the top and set this aside as well.
Place the sliced cabbage into a large pot of salted water and bring to the boil. Cook for five minutes, then drain well. Run cold water over it to stop it from cooking any further and drain well again.
Remove the skins from the sausages and discard.
Layer 1/3 of the cooked cabbage in the casserole dish. Season well with salt and pepper. Top with 1/2 of the sausage meat, pressing it out to fit over the cabbage. Top with another 1/3 of the cabbage. Season again and then top with the remaining sausage meat, pressing it out as before. Top with the last of the cabbage, season again, Pour the tomatoes over top. Dot with butter. Cover tightly with a layer of greaseproof and the the lid of the casserole dish. Bake in the pre-heated oven for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, until the cabbage is meltingly tender. Serve, sliced into wedges with your choice of side dishes. We like steamed rice and mixed vegetables with this. Enjoy!
Note - I was not sent any sausages to use in this recipe, nor was I paid to promote Debbie & Andrew's sausages. I quite simply like them and I think you would too.
