The key to excellent cabbage rolls lies not only in the correct and tasty filling, but also in properly cooked cabbage leaves, which are recommended to be boiled beforehand.
Cabbage leaves, in which cabbage rolls are wrapped, should be soft and elastic. You can achieve this result by choosing the right variety of cabbage and the size of the head. It is best to use a medium-sized head of cabbage that is loose in structure for these purposes.
Cut the cabbage into two parts and, one at a time, carefully, being careful not to damage the leaves, separate them from the head of cabbage. For convenience, you can cut the leaves at the base of the stump. Then take a large saucepan, pour water into it, salt and put on fire. When the water boils, place the cabbage leaves in it and boil them for five to six minutes. Please note: the cabbage should be half cooked, but at the same time soft and not break when rolling the cabbage rolls. Then discard the leaves in a colander and let the liquid drain. Cool the leaves and only then can you start filling them.
If you want to make stuffed cabbage more juicy and preserve cabbage juice in them as much as possible, wrap the leaves in a piece of food foil and place them in a well-preheated oven for a few minutes. Usually, five to seven minutes are enough for the desired state of readiness of cabbage leaves when baking.
You can also use the microwave to prepare cabbage leaves. Place the cabbage in a plate and set the timer for 3-4 minutes. With this method, the cabbage will soften, but it will be slightly different in consistency from the one baked in foil.
If the cabbage is old and the leaves have tough veins, try knocking them off with a hammer, a rolling pin, the blunt side of a knife blade, or any other suitable object. You can also cut the most protruding partitions on the leaves with a knife.
Some housewives prefer to boil a whole head of cabbage without taking it apart into separate sheets. This option is also acceptable. But keep in mind: cabbage will take much longer to cook, and it will be much more difficult to achieve a uniform state of the leaves.
