Kitchen Adventures: When Being Lazy Pays Off

Hey there Humble Readers...

(Hey!  I just learned from Kristin over at Dragondreamer's Lair that Show & Tell is back.  Suzy from Not A Fertile Myrtle is hosting it now, from Thursdays to Sundays.  So, Humble Readers, click over there and join in the fun... after you read this post of course!)

While my grandmother would be appalled, I am very happy with how last night's dinner experiment turned out.  It was easy and came out very yummy.  I combined a couple of recipes (including my mom/grandmother's recipe for cabbage rolls) and then threw in my own twists. 

One thing to keep in mind... you need to plan your time accordingly.  The rice in the recipe needs to already be cooked, and you really shouldn't use instant rice in this.  I started the rice cooking, and then started the chopping and other cooking. 

This recipe makes a ton of food.  I had one 9x13 casserole dish filled, and had enough left over to use a smaller, shallower oval casserole (was enough to feed us both last night, with leftovers).  I'm planning on freezing the larger pan and saving it for a night when I don't feel inspired.

As always, the amounts in my recipes are never exact.  Go with your gut and your personal taste. 

Lazy Cabbage Roll Casserole

1 med cabbage, chopped or shredded
1 pound lean ground beef
1/2 pound lean ground pork (if you don't like or can't use pork, just add more beef)
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
2 med onions, diced
2 cups brown rice, cooked
1 lg can tomato sauce (about 3 cups, plain)
1 cup beef stock
a few dashes of worchestershire sauce
2 tsp seasoned salt
1 tbsp black pepper
2 tsp paprika
1 tbsp dried thyme
2 tbsp parsley or cilantro (I've been on a cilantro kick lately... love it!)
4 slices bacon, fried crisp and crumbled (optional... I don't think it needs it, but mom always puts bacon in her cabbage rolls)

In a large skillet, brown ground beef and ground pork together until no longer pink.  Drain off excess fat.  Add onions and garlic to meat and saute for a couple of minutes.  Add in worchestershire sauce and all herbs, spices, and bacon (if using).  Stir to combine, then add in cooked rice and mix well. 

In a bowl, or large measuring cup, combine tomato sauce and beef stock.  Pour half of it over the meat & rice mixture, and stir well.  Now would be a good time to taste test the mix, just in case you need to adjust the seasonings. 

In a greased casserole dish, spread a layer of cabbage, then a layer of the meat mixture.  Spread another layer of cabbage, and another layer of meat.  Top with a final layer of cabbage.  Pour the remaining tomato sauce over the top of the casserole.  Cover tightly with foil, and bake in a 375 degree oven for 45 minutes.  I uncovered mine for the last 20 minutes.  When it's done, allow it to stand for 5 minutes or so before digging in.

If you try it out, please let me know what you think.