Name: Romanian Sarmale with Mamaliguta and Sour Cream
Total time: 70 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Romanian
Ingredients: 12 large cabbage leaves; 1 pound ground pork; 1/2 pound ground beef; 1 cup cooked rice; 1 onion, diced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon caraway seeds; salt and pepper to taste; 1 cup sour cream; 1 cup milk; 1 cup polenta; 1 tablespoon butter

Traditional Romanian cabbage rolls served with creamy polenta and sour cream, a hearty and comforting meal.

Method

Blanch the cabbage leaves in boiling water for 2 minutes, then drain.
In a bowl, mix the pork, beef, rice, onion, garlic, caraway seeds, salt, and pepper.
Place a handful of the mixture in the center of each cabbage leaf, roll tightly, and secure with a toothpick.
Place the rolled cabbage in a pot, cover with water, and simmer for 1 hour.
While the sarmale cook, prepare the mamaliguta: bring the milk to a boil, add the polenta gradually while stirring, and cook for 10 minutes.
Stir in the butter and salt.
Serve the sarmale with a dollop of sour cream and a side of mamaliguta.
Enjoy with a glass of cold water or a traditional Romanian drink.
Check that the ground meat reaches 71°C (160°F) throughout before serving.