How to choose and cook cabbage for cabbage rolls in the microwave?
The most difficult stage in preparing stuffed cabbage is to separate the cabbage leaves from the head of cabbage so that they do not break, but also do not turn out to be too soft. Cabbage for cabbage rolls in the microwave softens so much that the filling can be wrapped in it, but remains elastic. Unlike the standard method using a pot of boiling water, the microwave completely bakes the leaves and keeps them strong.
Read also the article: how much to cook fresh cauliflower?
Recipe for softening cabbage in the microwave
A way to soften cabbage for stuffed cabbage in microwaveis much easier than the standard boiling water method. If you have a microwave oven, there is no need to deliberately choose soft varieties, heat a large container of water and try to withstand the right time so that the leaves do not scald.
You can even soften young cabbage for stuffed cabbage in the microwave. In boiling water, its leaves quickly boil and tear, while minced meat is wrapped in them, in contrast to the more modern method.
A head of cabbage weighing 1.5-2 kg is suitable for cooking cabbage rolls. It can be put directly into the oven or wrapped in plastic wrap.
- Before you cook cabbage for stuffed cabbage in the microwave, it must be cleaned. The stump can be shortened and the upper leaves are removed until they appear clean and intact. The leftovers can be thrown away - they are not needed for stuffed cabbage.
- At the base of the cabbage stump, cuts are made with a long knife, separating the leaves. There is no need to disassemble the head of cabbage yet - the cabbage leaves for cabbage rolls in the microwave will soften and be easily separated. The knife is deepened to the maximum, trying not to damage the cabbage.
- The head is sent to the oven for 8-10 minutes and turned on at maximum power. It can be additionally wrapped in a plastic bag or cling film — the leaves will lose less moisture when processed at high temperatures.
- How many minutes the cabbage for cabbage rolls will cook in the microwave depends on its size and the number of leaves. After 8-10 minutes, the head of cabbage is taken out of the oven and the surface leaves, which have had time to soften, are separated from it. Those that firmly hold onto the stump are left.
- Next, the head of cabbage should be placed back in the microwave for 5-8 minutes. After that, it will be possible to remove the next layer of leaves, which soften under the influence of high temperature. It is not recommended to remove all the leaves - the smallest of them are not suitable for stuffed cabbage. They can be left and added to another dish (cook borscht or stewed cabbage).
- Hard veins may remain on the leaves. They can be carefully cut with a knife, keeping it parallel to the table surface. It is important not to damage the integrity of the sheet, otherwise such a cabbage roll will fall apart.
After taking it out of the microwave, hot cabbage should be immediately doused with cold water. So the leaves will more easily separate from the stump, and you can immediately wrap the minced meat in them.
Preparing cabbage for cabbage rolls in the microwave is much easier than in a saucepan with boiling water. Leaves soften but remain firm and resilient. Their taste will be felt in the finished dish, but it will not interrupt the taste of minced meat. In addition, this method of preparing cabbage saves time.While the cabbage is simmering in the microwave, you can quickly stuff the first leaves with minced meat. See: stewed cabbage with potatoes and meat!
Another cabbage recipe for stuffed cabbage
The easiest way is to put the cabbage in the microwave for 10 minutes and leave it uncovered. However, many housewives prefer to use a baking sleeve or wrap the head of cabbage in a plastic bag or cling film. Thus, moisture does not evaporate, but remains in the leaves. They bake more evenly and soften even in the center.
A head of cabbage in a sleeve or film can also be cooked in several stages, but it is easier to place it for 10-15 minutes at a lower temperature. After that, it is dipped in cold water in foil, and when it cools down a little, they begin to parse the leaves. All veins are removed with a sharp knife so that they do not spoil the taste of the finished dish. However, instead, the leaves can be gently hammered with a hammer without damaging them.
How to choose the right cabbage?
If you choose cabbage for cabbage rolls and cook it in boiling water, you need to know a few subtleties. The shape, size, color of the leaves and the structure of the vegetable matter. In the microwave, you can cook any cabbage so that it is convenient to wrap minced meat in it. However, if you follow the advice of experienced housewives, cooking cabbage will be even easier:
- the head of cabbage should not have a round, but an elongated shape - leaves are separated much easier from such a cabbage;
- cabbage should have large leaves - if they are small, it will be difficult to wrap minced meat in them, and the cooking process will take a long time;
- leaves should be light (white with a greenish tinge), without black dots, breaks and damage, signs of fungus or mold;
- individual leaves must be dense, thick and elastic, otherwise they will quickly break, and the filling cannot be wrapped in them;
- withering cabbage is not good - you can stew it with meat, and buy another head of cabbage for stuffed cabbage.
You can soften cabbage leaves not only in boiling water or in a microwave oven. Cold has a similar effect.
First, you need to freeze a whole head of cabbage, and then remove it from the freezer and defrost it at room temperature. However, after processing, cabbage can only be used for making stuffed cabbage and cannot be stored even frozen.
Preparing cabbage for cabbage rolls in the microwave for softening is the easiest way. Even a novice housewife will be able to cope with the preparation of a dish according to this recipe. The leaves are soft and elastic, keep their shape well and do not allow cabbage rolls to fall apart.
Read also the article:Chinese cabbage cabbage rolls in a slow cooker!