Ingredients
12 cabbage leaves2 pounds ground beef3/4 teaspoon salt1/4 teaspoon pepper2 cups cooked long grain rice2 large eggs, lightly beatenSAUCE:1/4 cup butter, cubed1 large onion, halved and thinly sliced2 celery ribs, chopped2-1/2 cups water2 cans (one 15 ounces, one 8 ounces) tomato sauce2 tablespoons lemon juice2 teaspoons sugar2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes1 teaspoon salt1/4 teaspoon pepper
Preparation
In batches, cook cabbage leaves in boiling water until crisp-tender, 3-5 minutes. Drain; cool slightly. Trim the thick vein from the bottom of each cabbage leaf, making a V-shaped cut.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef, salt and pepper over medium heat until no longer pink, breaking into crumbles, 8-10 minutes; drain. Stir in rice and eggs.
In another skillet, heat butter over medium-high heat. Add onion and celery; cook and stir until tender, 6-8 minutes. Stir in water, tomato sauce, lemon juice, sugar, parsley, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until thickened, 15-20 minutes.
Spoon about 1/2 cup meat mixture onto each cabbage leaf. Pull together cut edges of leaf to overlap; fold over filling. Fold in sides and roll up. Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Pour sauce over rolls. Refrigerate, covered, overnight.
Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 350°. Bake, covered, until heated through, 50-60 minutes.
