Holubtsi (Cabbage Rolls) - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 large cabbage (3 lb.)
1 c. long grain rice
1 c. boiling water
1 tsp. salt
3 strips bacon, diced and cooked crisp
1 1/2 c. chopped onions
1/2 lb. ground pork
1/2 lb. ground beef
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp. garlic salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 1/2 c. tomato juice
salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

Core cabbage.
Place head in deep pot of boiling water.
Let stand until leaves are soft and pliable.
Remove from water; separate leaves.
Return head to boiling water if inside leaves require softening.
Pare down hard center rib on each leaf.
Add salt and rice to boiling water.
Cover; turn off heat.
Let stand until rice absorbs all water.
In large frying pan, saute onion in bacon drippings until tender.
Add pork and beef.
Cook until lightly browned.
Combine with rice.
Cool slightly then add beaten egg, garlic salt and pepper.
Line bottom of large baking dish with cabbage leaves.
Place heaping tablespoonful of the meat mixture onto a cabbage leaf.
Roll once, tuck in sides and roll completely. Arrange rolls in layers in casserole.
Season each layer with salt and pepper.
Pour tomato juice over rolls.
Cover with 2 or 3 large cabbage leaves.
Cover tightly.
Bake in a 350\u00b0 oven for 1 hour. Uncover; continue baking and basting for another 1/2 hour.
Serve hot with chopped crisp bacon, sour cream or tomato juice.