Clean Eating Cabbage Rolls + The wonder that is Chipotle Burrito Rollers

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Ok, Tuesday. We can do this. 3 days of work stand between me and a 4 day weekend. I can do this. WE CAN DO THIS!



Before my friends left for their honeymoon they dropped off produce that was going to go bad over the week they were gone which included two (yes 2) heads of cabbage. I did extensive resesarch typed "cabbage recipes" into Pinterest which came back with a clean coleslaw (major fail, likely user error) and someone's grandma's cabbage rolls. Here is my version of these cabbage rolls gone clean- just an FYI these are in no way authentic. I read that you are supposed to mix brown sugar and sauerkraut in with the turkey- neither of which I had at home so I seasoned it my own way.

Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 1 hour 30 mins
Servings: 5

Ingredients:

  • 1 head of cabbage
  • 1 lb lean ground turkey
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup brown rice, cooked
  • 1 tablespoon Paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 tablespoons parsley
  • 3 cups tomato sauce of your choice
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Put the head of cabbage into a large pot and fill it with water (fill it up to the water running about an inch over the top of the cabbage). Remove the cabbage from the water and bring the water to a boil. Once the water is boiling, add the cabbage head to the water and leave it (leave the stove turned all the way up too) about 3 minutes or until the leaves on the outside are soft.

Remove the leaves from the core of the cabbage and set aside.

Combine the turkey, rice, seasonings and eggs and mix well. 

Pour about a cup of the sauce into the bottom of a casserole dish. Now scoop a few spoonfuls into the bottom of a cabbage leaf and roll the meat up Chipotle-style (if you don't know what I mean, this video  has a great example right at 1 minute mark). Place your roll into the casserole dish.

Here's a picture of a Chipotle burrito being rolled (PS those guys are pros. I've seen them roll like 10 lbs of ish into the tortilla. Amazingness)

via
Repeat until you run out of turkey mixture. Top the cabbage rolls with another cup of tomato sauce and put them in the oven for about an hour and a half. 

Cut at least one open to make sure your meat is totally cooked (no pink), add more tomato sauce when serving and enjoy!

In other news, I'm trying really hard to stay on track with exercising (21 days to re-build a habit, right? is this the longest 21 days or what?!). Yesterday I completed day 5 of Fitness Blender's 5 Day Challenge. I'm going to try to go for a nice light job because let me tell you, I'm suffering today.


Question: How are you doing with staying on track? Have you ever had stuffed cabbage rolls and if so how do you season them? 

18 comments :

  1. yum, I may just have to try this:) What would we do without Pinterest?

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  2. Both my Grandmother's were from the old country and made the best stuffed cabbage. This looks like a good healthy version!

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  3. mmmm i love cabbage.
    my mum makes this recipe something like 'kai see ming' thats what she calls it but i'm sure its something else and i failed miserably the first time i made it, got better the second time but i'm too scared to make it again. you have inspired me!

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  4. Lately I've been getting a cabbage a week through this farmer-at-home program (where they bring it to your house and you don't get to pick). I'm so over it. I never eat cabbage because I hate coleslaw but I've been toying with the idea of making vegetarian cabbage rolls. They look so hard though! was it hard? will I hate my life if I attempt them??

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  5. I've been totally committed to my workouts - but on and off with the eating - I will find this balance -
    I know I will.

    Cabbage rolls? - what's funny about that is my boss was explaining to me what they were YESTERDAY - must mean, I am meant to MAKE THEM.

    Trying your RECIPE!!!!

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  6. I had stuffed cabbage rolls when I was younger and hated the way they smelled. I have never made them on my own, but they certainly are healthy! Perhaps I should try again. Sans sugar like you suggested!

    I am in week 4 of Body Revolution and I can feel myself getting a little stronger each day. I have 8 more weeks to go!

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  7. I LOVE cabbage. I have never made cabbage rolls, because Matt's aunts are Lebanese and I would be embarrassed to even attempt a cabbage roll compared to theirs. I always braise my cabbage with onions and chicken sausages. It's so stinking good and good for you.

    I desperately need to get out for a run, but it has been so hot and Matt is out of town for the next week, so there will be no running in my immediate future. Thank goodness for body weight workouts in the living room!
    Have a great Tuesday love!

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  8. I'm always so afraid to eat cabbage - not sure why, but this looks really good!!

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  9. Ohh this sounds so good! and i can never roll like they do! dangit.

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  10. I have never had cabbage rolls I am going to have to try them. I am cooking a lot more, so I am excited to try some of your recipes.

    Leslie

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  11. My bf LOVES cabbage rolls! I have never had one until I met him and they do it each year for the holidays. Guess I gotta come back to this recipe, thanks!

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  12. These look awesome. I just don't know if I could get the boyfriend to eat them.

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  13. I have never had stuffed cabbage but I have had corned beef and cabbage so it's basically the same thing. What? No?

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  14. have not tried those before, but they sound yummy

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  15. This is a great healthy alternate! I can never seem to roll my wraps as well as the restaurants... everything always falls out for me... ha!

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  16. I have really been thinking about carving out 21 days to make new habits. I want to see how it works for you (hopefully well) and follow your lead!

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Love to hear your thoughts and opinions, let's chat!