- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Total time
- 50 min
- Yield
- 4 servings
- Difficulty
- EASY
- Calories
- 400 kcal
Quick summary
“Ground meat Sarmale is an easy and tasty meat recipe, perfect for a special dinner. It is nutritious and delicious, being a great option for those looking for an alternative and healthy meat.”
What you need to know
- Facil de preparar, com receita simples e rápida
- Nutritivo, combinando arroz e carne em uma única receita
- Acompanha bem com uma salada de folhas verdes ou legumes
- Possui um sabor autêntico da Romênia
- O arroz e a carne moída podem ser modificados de acordo com a preferência pessoal
Ingredients
Main
- 1 fermented cabbage (or cooked fresh cabbage for the light version)
- 500g ground meat (can be pork, beef, or a mix)
- 150g of rice
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 tomates maduros picados
- 1 tablespoon of tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Principal
- Cook the rice in salted water until al dente and set aside.
- In a pan, sauté the onion until translucent.
- Add the ground beef and cook until browned.
- Mix the cooked rice, chopped tomatoes, and tomato paste, season with dill, salt, and pepper.
- Remove the cabbage leaves and cut out the thick parts.
- Place a spoonful of the meat mixture in the center of each leaf and roll, sealing the ends.
- Place the sarmales in a pot, in layers, and add water until covered.
- Cook over low heat for approximately 2 hours.
Chef's tips
- Use repolho para a versão tradicional, ou repolho cozido para versão leve
- Para dar um sabor extra, adicione um pouco de mostarda no molho de carne
- Para economizar tempo, você pode fazer a mistura de carne e arroz na panela antes de encher as sarmale
Variations
- Adicione um pouco de cebolinha picada para dar um toque de sabor extra
- Substituir o molho de tomate por molho de pimenta para um sabor diferente
- Para um sabor mais intenso, adicione um pouco de pimenta preta no molho de carne
Substitutions
- Substituir o arroz por feijão ou grão de bico para um alimento diferente
- Substituir a carne moída por carne grelhada ou salada de frango
- Substituir o repolho por cogumelos por uma opção vegetariana
How to store
They can be kept in an airtight container for up to 2 days, ideally refrigerated. After this period, the recipe does not keep well and is best made fresh.
Can it be frozen?
Cannot be frozen. Sarmale falls apart when frozen and the texture is altered. The recipe must be prepared and consumed immediately.
What to serve with
Grilled salmon and a green salad are great side options for this recipe.
Frequently asked questions
Does the recipe serve well with tomato salad?
It just depends on your preference. If you like a tomato salad, you can make this as a side dish. Otherwise, the green leaf salad is a great option.
Can I replace the cabbage with another ingredient?
Yes, you can replace cabbage with mushrooms, especially champignon. They have a similar flavor and can add an extra touch of texture.
How can I prepare sarmale for a quicker dinner?
You can prepare the meat and rice mixture in the pan before filling the sarmale, saving time and ensuring the sauce is perfectly combined.
How can I make the recipe less caloric?
To reduce calories, you can decrease the use of ground beef and add more rice. Additionally, you can add a little grated carrot for extra flavor.
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