Holubtsi are the Ukrainian version of the stuffed cabbage rolls which are popular throughout eastern Europe.  This version is adapted from the deconstructed holubtsi in Yevhen Klopotenko’s cookbook The Authentic Ukrainian Kitchen: Recipes from a Native Chef.  Rather than making a filling and putting it inside rolled cabbage leaves, this version makes patties of the cabbage and filling all mixed together.  I don’t think this looks like much in the photo, but it is very tasty.  I made 8 patties, and we decided that 2 patties per person was the right serving using this as a one-pot meal.  It takes about an hour and a half end to end.

Makes 4 servings

¾ cup medium grain white rice (I used Japanese rice)

1 large onion, diced

12 oz. cabbage, thinly cut (about 1/3 of a large cabbage

1 large carrot, peeled and coarsely grated

3 Tbs. neutral oil, plus oil for the baking dish

3 Tbs. unsalted butter

1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

2 tsp. salt

½ tsp. ground coriander

1-1/4 lb. ground beef

16 oz. can diced tomatoes (I used crushed tomatoes since that is what I had)

1 cup sour cream

Start by making the rice.  Rinse the rice and put it in a small saucepan with 1 cup of water.  Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook covered for 5 minutes.  Remove from the heat and let it cool in the pot for at least 15 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

In a large skillet, heat the oil and butter over medium heat.  Add the onion and cabbage and cook until the onion is translucent, stirring occasionally.  Add the grated carrot and cook for another 3 minutes.  Remove from the heat and let the vegetables cool.

Mix the rice in with the vegetables.  Mix in the pepper, salt, and coriander.  Mix in the ground beef, breaking it up to be evenly distributed.

Oil a large baking dish.  (I used a lasagna pan (which held 6 patties) and one smaller pan (which held 2 patties.)

Make patties with oiled hands.  What I did was to use a 3 inch biscuit cutter as a mold, filling it and pressing the ingredients to make them stick together better.  Put the patties in the baking dish (or dishes).

In a bowl mix together the tomatoes and sour cream and pour it over and around the patties.

Bake for 45-50 minutes.