1
Take a large head of cabbage and discard outer bad leaves and cut approx. 2 inches down and around the center core and cut out.
2
Fill a large pot of water and add a Tbsp of salt and the head of cabbage, bring to a boil.
3
While waiting for the cabbage to boil Make 8 servings of brown rice according to package, but slightly firmer. (2 cups water, 1 cup rice & a 1/2 tsp of salt)
4
Meanwhile in a large bowl place ground beef, Pork 2 eggs 2 1/2 tsp salt & 2 tsp pepper. Take the large half of onion and grate it right over the meat in the bowl. Mix all together well. Set Aside
5
In between your prep stages check your cabbage for leaves that can be pulled away and set aside in a dish to cool. They should be AL-dente. Continue to pull off each leaf as it is ready and set aside until complete.
6
When rice is cooked scoop out 4 cups in a plate & spread out to cool. Once it has cooled add it to the meat mixture and incorporate well.
7
Take an appropriate amount of meat for the leaf to be rolled, place in the end, fold in sides and roll. Continue to do all the other leaves to follow. Place Tightly back to back seam down in a 13X9 Glass dished lined with cabbage leaves left over. ( The first leaves you start to pull off may break and become unusable. These are great for lining the bottom of the pan as a barrier.
8
Add reserved Cabbage water to the stuffed cabbage until the bottom is lined about 1/4 inch. this aides in the cooking process.
9
In a pan put 4 Tablespoons Tomato Paste and enough boiled cabbage water to make it into a thick sauce. Add 1 Tbsp of sugar & 1/2 Tsp of salt and bring to a boil on top of the stove.
9
Spoon over stuffed cabbage evenly & sprinkle with a dusting of black pepper.
10
Place into a preheated 350 oven for two hours, checking & basting each stuffed cabbage periodically. I recommend putting a few sheets of tin foil under the pan while baking, since it does tend to boil over a little at times. when done cooking you have easy clean-up in the oven.
11
Let rest covered for at least 1/2 hour and eat with bread & butter.