Hungarian Stuffed Cabbage Rolls (Töltött Káposzta)

Ingredients:

• 1 large cabbage (or 12–14 cabbage leaves)
• 500 g ground pork
• 1 cup uncooked rice
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp paprika
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Sauce:

• 2 tbsp oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 tbsp paprika
• 400 g tomato sauce
• 1 L water or broth
• 2 bay leaves

Instructions:

1. Boil the cabbage leaves for 2–3 minutes until softened. Drain and cool.
2. In a bowl, combine ground pork, rice, onion, garlic, egg, paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Place a spoonful of filling on each cabbage leaf and roll tightly, folding in the sides.
4. Heat oil in a large pot and sauté the chopped onion until soft.
5. Stir in the paprika, then add tomato sauce, water or broth, and bay leaves.
6. Arrange the cabbage rolls in the pot.
7. Cover and simmer gently for 1½–2 hours, until the rice and meat are fully cooked.
8. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.