Frozen Cabbage Rolls Simmered in Tomato Gravy

Cooking method

1. Step 1:

   

   How do you make frozen cabbage rolls simmered in tomato gravy? Start by gathering the ingredients on the list. This recipe works not only with frozen cabbage rolls but also with fresh ones — store-bought or homemade. Besides salt, feel free to add other spices to taste.

2. Step 2:

   

   Thaw the cabbage rolls first by taking them out of the freezer 2–3 hours before cooking. The filling can be anything you like — a pork-and-beef blend, or one with some ground chicken mixed in.

3. Step 3:

   

   Peel the carrots and grate them on a fine grater.

4. Step 4:

   

   Finely chop the dill. If you don't have fresh dill, you can use dried, or swap in another fresh herb to taste.

5. Step 5:

   

   Place the cabbage rolls in a heavy-bottomed pot. Scatter the grated carrot and salt over the top.

6. Step 6:

   

   Pour in enough water to cover the cabbage rolls. Set the pot on the stove and simmer over low heat for 50 minutes.

7. Step 7:

   

   While the cabbage rolls simmer, get everything ready for the gravy. The exact amount of water depends on how thick you want the gravy and how thick your tomato paste is. You can replace the tomato paste with ketchup or chopped tomatoes in their own juice.

8. Step 8:

   

   Toast the flour in a dry skillet over low heat until it's golden and gives off a bright, nutty aroma. The flour won't change color for a while, then it can scorch in under a minute — so stir it constantly.

9. Step 9:

   

   Add the tomato paste and mix thoroughly.

10. Step 10:

    

    Pour the hot water and vegetable oil into the skillet and whisk until smooth. Simmer over low heat until thickened. Mine came out fairly thick but still pourable.

11. Step 11:

    

    Pour the tomato gravy into the pot with the cabbage rolls. Stir in the chopped herbs and simmer everything together for another 5–10 minutes.

12. Step 12:

    

    Serve the cabbage rolls with sour cream and the tomato gravy right from the pot. Enjoy!