The Polish Halupkie (a.k.a. Stuffed Cabbage Rolls)

If you have any Polish ancestry in your family, you definitely know about stuffed cabbage rolls. Growing up, one of my dad's favorite meals was his grandmother's halpukies. When she passed away, my mom continued to make them as a special treat for him and they became one of my favorites, too! Now, I have learned to make them and they have become one of my husband's favorite dishes. They are very simple to make and the ingredients cost little to nothing! Give them a whirl :)

Ingredients
1 head cabbage
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1/2 cup onions, chopped
1/4 cup celery, chopped
2 eggs, beaten
Salt & pepper
1 lb. ground beef
1/2 cup rice, uncooked
2 Tbsp. tomato paste
1 can tomato sauce

Directions

Gently separate cabbage leaves from the core. Scald leaves in boiling water for 2 minutes. Drain and cool slightly.

Saute onion and celery in oil. Mix together onion, celery, beef, rice, eggs, seasonings and tomato paste.

Place 1/2 cup of the meat mixture in the center of each cabbage leaf and roll (fold bottom first, then sides, then top).Lay prepared rolls, seam-side down, in a large pot. Add tomato sauce and any leftover tomato paste.

Cover rolls with water and bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium and simmer for about one hour. Enjoy!