Stuffed Cabbage with Turmeric and Safflower

Ingredients

• 1 kilogram cabbage
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• The filling :
• 1 1/2 cups Egyptian rice
• 200 grams ground meat
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 tablespoon safflower
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• For cooking:
• 1 head garlic
• 1 1/2 liters water, or as needed
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1/4 cup lemon juice

Method

1. Remove the tough core of the cabbage, also known as the "coramiah".
2. Bring a pot of water to a boil with one tablespoon of cumin, which helps prevent the bloating that cabbage may cause.
3. Place the whole cabbage in the boiling water and turn it on both sides while the water boils for 2 minutes.
   Timers: 2 min
4. Transfer it to a colander and let it cool slightly, then start separating the cabbage leaves one by one.
5. Wash the leaves with cold water and let them drain.
6. Trim the tough rib from the cabbage leaves and cut the leaves into the size you want. Set the ribs aside.
7. Wash the rice, then soak it in lukewarm water for only 10 minutes and drain it well.
   Timers: 10 min
8. Mix it with the rest of the filling ingredients.
9. Roll the cabbage leaves by placing a little filling inside each one and rolling them completely, like grape leaves.
10. Place some cabbage leaves and ribs in the bottom of the pot so the stuffed cabbage does not stick to the bottom while cooking... then arrange the stuffed cabbage leaves and place the head of garlic among them without peeling it. You can also peel the cloves and distribute them between the leaves.
11. In another pot, boil 1 1/2 liters of water with 2 teaspoons of salt and 1 teaspoon of turmeric.
12. Pour the boiling water over the cabbage pot until all the cabbage is covered.
13. Place a plate or a smaller pot lid on top of the leaves, smaller than the pot you are cooking them in, to press them down a little so the leaves do not open while the water boils.
14. Once the water boils, reduce the heat for about 20 minutes, then add the lemon juice and let the stuffed cabbage cook over low heat.
    Timers: 20 min
15. A recipe for cabbage with turmeric and safflower from a friend and the site's chef
16. Amir Youssef
17. Click on his name to visit his personal page on our site
18. More from Amir: The Best Pea Stew
19. For more of Amir's recipes, here is Green Broad Beans