Yemista me Lahano

Description
Stuffed cabbage leaves, by Karen Mintzias

Ingredients

 * 1 large onion; finely chopped
 * 1 tbsp olive oil
 * 1 kg ground beef or lamb
 * ⅓ cup short-grain rice
 * 1 tomato; peeled and chopped
 * 2 tbsp chopped parsley
 * 1 tsp chopped dill or mint
 * ⅛ tsp ground cinnamon
 * 1 freshly ground black pepper
 * 24 cabbage leaves
 * 1 salted water
 * 1 tbsp butter
 * 2 cups hot stock or water
 * 1 salt
 * 1 tbsp cornflour
 * 2 eggs; separated
 * 1 lemon (juice only)
 * 1 chopped dill or parsley

Directions

 * 1) Gently fry onion in oil until soft.
 * 2) Mix into meat with rice, tomato, herbs and cinnamon, seasoning to taste with salt and pepper.
 * 3) Divide into 24 portions.
 * 4) Blanch cabbage leaves in boiling, salted water for 5 minutes until softened.
 * 5) Drain and cut out thick centre of larger leaves (very large leaves may be cut in half).
 * 6) Place one portion of stuffing on base of leaf, turn up base, fold in sides and wrap firmly into a neat roll.
 * 7) Repeat with remaining ingredients.
 * 8) Place rolls close together, seam sides down, in a deep pan lined with trimmings from cabbage leaves.
 * 9) Add stock or water, butter, salt and pepper to taste.
 * 10) Invert a heavy plate on top of rolls and cover pan tightly.
 * 11) Simmer gently for 1½ hours.
 * 12) When cooked, drain off stock carefully into a small saucepan.
 * 13) Reduce to 1 1½ cups over heat and thicken with cornflour mixed to a paste with a little cold water.
 * 14) Let it boil 1 minute.
 * 15) Beat egg whites in a bowl until stiff, add yolks and beat thoroughly.
 * 16) Gradually beat in lemon juice, then boiling stock.
 * 17) Return sauce to small pan, place over low heat and stir constantly until egg is cooked - do not boil.
 * 18) Arrange rolls on a heated serving dish and spoon some of the sauce over them.
 * 19) Garnish with chopped dill or parsley and serve remaining sauce separately.
 * 20) Serve with mashed potatoes.
 * 21) Note: grape vine leaves may be used instead of cabbage - about 40 will be required since they take less filling.