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.