Stuffed Savoy Cabbage Leaves | Guest Recipes | Nigella's Recipes (2024)

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Introduction

This is one of those dishes that came about because of what I had to hand on the day — I was about to embark on a traditional rice filling, when I remembered the bag of black chickpeas (garbanzo beans) I wanted to experiment with. The black pudding — especially the Spanish sort, morcilla, works really well with them. The texture of the black pudding is quite important; you need a crumbly one, nothing too dense, as this will make the sauce claggy.

For US cup measures, use the toggle at the top of the ingredients list.

This is one of those dishes that came about because of what I had to hand on the day — I was about to embark on a traditional rice filling, when I remembered the bag of black chickpeas (garbanzo beans) I wanted to experiment with. The black pudding — especially the Spanish sort, morcilla, works really well with them. The texture of the black pudding is quite important; you need a crumbly one, nothing too dense, as this will make the sauce claggy.

For US cup measures, use the toggle at the top of the ingredients list.

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  • Stuffed Savoy Cabbage Leaves | Guest Recipes | Nigella's Recipes (1)
    Leaf: Lettuce, Greens, Herbs, Weeds
Stuffed Savoy Cabbage Leaves | Guest Recipes | Nigella's Recipes (2)

Ingredients

Serves: 4

MetricCups

For the stuffed cabbage leaves

  • 12 large savoy cabbage leaves
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (plus extra for greasing)
  • 300 grams black pudding (skinned and sliced)
  • 1 large onion (sliced)
  • 3 cloves garlic (finely chopped or grated)
  • 150 millilitres red wine
  • 1 large sprig of fresh thyme (leaves only)
  • 250 grams cooked chickpeas (preferably black)
  • 2 large tomatoes (deseeded and chopped)
  • 100 millilitres chicken stock or vegetable stock
  • sea salt
  • freshly ground black pepper

For the topping

  • 30 grams breadcrumbs (optional)
  • a few sprigs of fresh thyme (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons butter

To serve

  • 200 millilitres sour cream
  • a sprinkling of onion powder

For the stuffed cabbage leaves

  • 12 large savoy cabbage leaves
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (plus extra for greasing)
  • 10½ ounces blood sausage (skinned and sliced)
  • 1 large onion (sliced)
  • 3 cloves garlic (finely chopped or grated)
  • ⅔ cup red wine
  • 1 large sprig of fresh thyme (leaves only)
  • 1½ cups cooked garbanzo beans (preferably black)
  • 2 large tomatoes (deseeded and chopped)
  • scant ½ cup chicken broth or vegetable stock
  • sea salt
  • freshly ground black pepper

For the topping

  • ½ cup breadcrumbs (optional)
  • a few sprigs of fresh thyme (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons butter

To serve

  • ¾ cup sour cream
  • a sprinkling of onion powder

Method

Stuffed Savoy Cabbage Leaves is a guest recipe by Catherine Phipps so we are not able to answer questions regarding this recipe

  1. Bring a large saucepan of salted water to the boil. Push the leaves down into the water and blanch for 3 minutes until soft but still bright. You need to make sure the stems are pliable enough to fold without snapping — if they aren’t, trim down the thickness of the stem where it juts out from the back of the leaf. Refresh in iced water and drain.
  2. To make the sauce, heat half the olive oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat and add the black pudding. Sear on all sides — it will blacken quickly — then remove. Add the rest of the oil with the onion. Cook over a medium heat until the onions have started to soften and brown, around 10 minutes — you want a little caramelisation. Add the garlic and fry for 1–2 minutes, then turn up the heat and pour in the wine. Let it bubble up and reduce, then add the thyme, chickpeas and tomatoes. Season, stir then cook for 2–3 minutes. Return the pudding to the pan, stir through and remove from the heat. Check for seasoning.
  3. Preheat the oven to 180ºC (350ºF/Gas 4) and oil a rectangular dish large enough to fit the rolled leaves snugly.
  4. To assemble, take each leaf and lay it with the base of the stem facing towards you. If you want to make sure you have exactly enough mixture for the rolls, weigh the stuffing mixture and divide by 12 — it should be approximately 2 heaped tablespoons of mixture. Put the mixture towards the base of the leaf, fold in the sides, then roll up, making sure the mixture doesn’t escape. Place in the oven dish.
  5. Pour over the stock, cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and, if using, sprinkle over the breadcrumbs and thyme. Regardless, dot over plenty of butter. Return to the oven for another 10 minutes.
  6. Sprinkle the onion powder on the sour cream and serve.
  1. Bring a large saucepan of salted water to the boil. Push the leaves down into the water and blanch for 3 minutes until soft but still bright. You need to make sure the stems are pliable enough to fold without snapping — if they aren’t, trim down the thickness of the stem where it juts out from the back of the leaf. Refresh in iced water and drain.
  2. To make the sauce, heat half the olive oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat and add the blood sausage. Sear on all sides — it will blacken quickly — then remove. Add the rest of the oil with the onion. Cook over a medium heat until the onions have started to soften and brown, around 10 minutes — you want a little caramelisation. Add the garlic and fry for 1–2 minutes, then turn up the heat and pour in the wine. Let it bubble up and reduce, then add the thyme, garbanzo beans and tomatoes. Season, stir then cook for 2–3 minutes. Return the pudding to the pan, stir through and remove from the heat. Check for seasoning.
  3. Preheat the oven to 180ºC (350ºF/Gas 4) and oil a rectangular dish large enough to fit the rolled leaves snugly.
  4. To assemble, take each leaf and lay it with the base of the stem facing towards you. If you want to make sure you have exactly enough mixture for the rolls, weigh the stuffing mixture and divide by 12 — it should be approximately 2 heaped tablespoons of mixture. Put the mixture towards the base of the leaf, fold in the sides, then roll up, making sure the mixture doesn’t escape. Place in the oven dish.
  5. Pour over the stock, cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and, if using, sprinkle over the breadcrumbs and thyme. Regardless, dot over plenty of butter. Return to the oven for another 10 minutes.
  6. Sprinkle the onion powder on the sour cream and serve.

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FAQs

Why are my stuffed cabbage rolls tough? ›

If your cooked cabbage is tough, it's likely because the cabbage is not cooked through yet. Continue to cook the rolls until they're tender. It's also important to make sure you let the rolls rest after they're finished baking.

Can you eat the outer leaves of a Savoy cabbage? ›

Every part of the cabbage is delicious and useful, so here are a few ways to use this versatile vegetable from stem to outer leaf: ROAST: If you want to try eating the whole cabbage, make a spicy tomato sauce with cumin seeds, ground coriander, smoked paprika and chilli flakes.

What is good about Savoy cabbage? ›

With its low calorie content and high nutrient density, the cabbage is also an excellent source of fibre. In addition to its high concentration of various vitamins, bitter substances and antioxidants, Savoy cabbage also supplies the body with high-quality plant-based protein.

How long does cabbage take to soften? ›

Put the cabbage leaves or shredded cabbage in a large pan and cover halfway with water. Bring to the boil and cook for 3-5 mins or until tender.

What is the difference between savoy cabbage and regular cabbage? ›

Savoy cabbage is a versatile cabbage, similar to green cabbage but a bit milder and sweeter, with leaves that are looser and more ruffly. It is also a bit more expensive than regular cabbage.

Can I eat savoy cabbage raw? ›

You can use Savoy Cabbage raw in salads, shredded to use in stir fries or try stuffing the leaves. You will find some links below to some great ideas for using this nutritious fibre packed vegetable. Savoy cabbage is rich in Vitamin C, low in calories and should be on the menu as part of a healthy diet.

What part of savoy cabbage do you eat? ›

Savoy cabbage has the most beautiful deep-green hue and very crinkly leaves, with a shape that's similar to green and red cabbage. Because of this, you can prepare Savoy cabbage the same way: Remove any tough or browned outer leaves, cut out the core, and chop the leaves into whatever size and shape you like.

Can dogs have cabbage? ›

Both red and green cabbage is fine for dogs to eat, though red cabbage contains more vitamins and minerals than the green variety. However, all types of cabbage are safe for dogs to eat and can be a good nutrient-dense addition to their well-balanced dog food diet.

Is cabbage good for your gut? ›

Packed with phytosterols (plant sterols) and insoluble fiber, cabbage can help keep your digestive system healthy and bowel movements regular. It fuels the good bacteria in your gut that protects your immune system and produces essential nutrients.

How do you remove cabbage leaves without boiling it? ›

You want the leaves pliable, but still intact. Set the leaves on a clean kitchen towel or a baking sheet layered with paper towel to drain. Another method of removing the leaves is to stick the head of the cabbage in the freezer overnight. The next day, take it out of the freezer and allow it to thaw.

Is savoy cabbage anti inflammatory? ›

Crushed cabbage leaves are one of the most widely used anti-inflammatory remedies in Polish folk medicine. Cabbage, due to its specific properties, has been used in natural medicine mainly for rheumatic pain, vein and lymphatic vessel inflammation, bruises, sprains, mastitis or gastrointestinal problems.

Why is it called savoy cabbage? ›

Savoy cabbage is named after a territory once ruled by an Italian royal family known as the House of Savoy, which was located along the border of Switzerland, France, and Italy in the 14th century.

Is savoy cabbage milder than regular cabbage? ›

This deep green variety offers up milder flavor than traditional green cabbage, remaining firm when cooked. Fresh savoy cabbage comes in a round head with tightly gathered leaves and overall wrinkled appearance. This product is currently unavailable.

Why is my cabbage still tough after cooking? ›

You're not cooking the right kind of cabbage

If you do want to cook it, add a touch of acid like lemon juice or vinegar to lessen the effect. The Savoy cabbage can be used as a substitute for green cabbage, just keep in mind that its leaves are a bit more tender than that of other cabbages.

Why did my homemade rolls get hard? ›

Too much flour, or not the right kind, could be to blame. Dough made only from flour with a high or even average amount of protein (like bread flour or all-purpose flour) can become tough from overmixing. Protein gives bread structure in the form of gluten—the more you mix and move the dough, the more gluten you get.

How to soften tough cabbage? ›

Add about 1/2 inch of lightly salted water to a large skillet or Dutch oven. Cover, and bring to a boil. Add cabbage wedges and 1/2 teaspoon fine salt. Simmer, covered, until the cabbage begins to soften, 5 to 7 minutes.

What happens if you overcook cabbage? ›

Unappetizing texture and flavor: Overcooking can cause cabbage to become mushy, slimy, and unappetizing. It can also cause the cabbage to lose its natural sweetness and become bitter. Increased gas production: Overcooking cabbage can make it more difficult to digest, leading to increased gas production and discomfort.

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