Chou Farci Stuffed Cabbage Recipe - Great British Chefs

Step 1

Place the whole cabbage base-side down in a pan, ensuring that it fits snugly. Cover with boiling water and place on a medium-low heat. Gently simmer for 10 minutes then drain and leave the cabbage to cool upside-down in a colander

Step 2

Meanwhile, place the chopped beef, sausage meat, garlic and eggs in a large bowl and gently combine using a fork. Season with a little salt and pepper, being careful not to add too much as the sausage meat will already be seasoned

Step 3

Place the cabbage the right way up and carefully pull apart the centre to cut out the heart. Finely chop this and mix into the meat stuffing. Keeping the cabbage whole, use a spoon to help pull apart the outer leaves and push some of the stuffing into the gaps

Step 4

Fill the hollow centre with the last of the stuffing and reshape the cabbage, gently pushing the leaves back together into a round shape. If using the caul fat wrap a large piece around the cabbage to hold everything in place, otherwise ensure the cabbage fits snugly in the pan to keep its shape together as it cooks

Step 5

Scatter the chopped vegetables and bacon over the cabbage and pour over the stock. Add the herbs to the pan and bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Partially cover the pan with a lid or foil and cook for 3 hours, or until the stock has evaporated

Step 6

Once cooked, remove from the pan and serve whole, or sliced into quarters or wedges. Scatter over the softened carrots and onions, plus any stock left in the pan and a little seasoning to taste