A nostalgic twist on tomato sauce for classic cabbage rolls
Stuffed cabbage rolls with tomato sauce are a classic dish that brings back fond memories of my childhood. This meal was always served with mashed potatoes, which I smothered in the delicious sauce. It was so tasty that I often couldn't resist licking the plate clean. The creamy, herb-infused tomato sauce is versatile, pairing well not only with cabbage rolls but also with meatballs, meatloaf, or roulades.
Tomato sauce for stuffed cabbage rolls can be prepared in two different ways. The first method makes use of the broth in which the cabbage rolls were cooked. Simply add tomato purée to the pot, season with salt and pepper, and thicken it with flour or cream. This straightforward method utilizes the broth effectively. However, thickening the sauce in the pot can be challenging. To enhance its flavour, consider adding onion and garlic and reduce the sauce in a pan instead.
Sauce from fresh tomatoes or from purée?
During the summer, I suggest making sauce from fresh tomatoes, such as the Limo variety, which are particularly easy to peel. In the fall, homemade preserves are great for capturing the taste of summer. If you don't have homemade tomato purée, use store-bought passata instead.
How to prepare tomato sauce for stuffed cabbage rolls?
If you choose fresh tomatoes, immerse them in hot water for 2-3 minutes. Carefully take them out, then use a sharp knife to remove the skin and seed cores.
Ingredients:
- 900 grams of tomatoes or about 500 mL of tomato purée
- 3 cloves of garlic
- 2 onions
- 1 tablespoon of butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh or dried basil
Instructions:
- Place a tablespoon of butter in a heated pan. Add finely chopped onion and sauté over medium heat until translucent.
- Then, add garlic grated on a fine grater. Sauté with the onion for about 5 minutes.
- Add peeled tomatoes or homemade purée. Mix everything well. Heat for 15 minutes to let the sauce develop its flavour. Season with salt and pepper.
- Finally, sprinkle with fresh or dried basil.
How to thicken tomato sauce?
You can achieve the perfect thickness of the sauce without any additional ingredients. Just use the right temperature and time to let the water evaporate. If you're short on time, you can add wheat flour or cream.
Mix the flour in a separate container with a small amount of cold water. Temper it by adding 1-2 tablespoons of hot sauce from the pan, then pour it back into the pan and stir.
If you wish to add sour cream with 12% or 18% fat content, temper it in the same way. For sweet cream with 30% fat content, this extra step is not required.
