Name: Apuseni Sarmale with a Twist
Total time: 120 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Romanian
Ingredients: 1 head of cabbage; 500g ground pork; 1 cup cooked rice; 1/2 cup chopped mushrooms; 1 onion, chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 1 tsp smoked paprika; Salt and pepper to taste; 1 cup water or broth

Apuseni Sarmale with a Twist

A variation of traditional Romanian sarmale with added mushrooms and a smoky flavor.

120 minutes6 servings

Method

Shred the cabbage and set aside.
In a bowl, mix ground pork, cooked rice, mushrooms, onion, garlic, tomato paste, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
Lay a cabbage leaf flat, place a spoonful of the mixture in the center, roll it up, and secure with a toothpick.
In a large pot, arrange the rolled cabbage in a single layer, add water or broth, and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours until the cabbage is tender.
Serve warm, optionally with sour cream or mashed potatoes.
Check that the ground meat reaches 71°C (160°F) throughout before serving.

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