My boys are coming home for the holidays and this is one dish we are going to make for them to take back for their freezer. Had this with our friends the other night and it is quite delicious. This is definitely a recipe worth keeping.
It does take a lot of ingredients but nothing out of the ordinary.
You can make ahead and freeze to bake later.
Shopping List:
Large 9 x 13 aluminum pan.
1 medium size bag of tortilla chips - crush half bag into small pieces
1 whole deli chicken purchased at any grocery - take all skin off and debone, then chop or shred into bite size pieces
1 can black beans - drained and washed
1 can corn
1 jar verde salsa (green sauce from tomitillos)
1 jar salsa
1 can chopped jalapeno peppers - drained and chopped
1 green or red pepper chopped
1 red onion chopped (med size)
1/4 cup fresh parsley or cilantro
1 clove garlic minced finely
1 tsp cumin or chili powder
1 fresh lime - squeeze all juice out of it
1 package grated Mexican cheese mix - divided in half (middle and top)
Serve with 1 small tub of sour cream, fresh chopped tomatoes or jar of salsa
Grease aluminum pan with butter or margarine or Pam. Put crushed chips in bottom till covered. No more tortilla chips needed once it is covered.
In large bowl mix beans, corn, jalapenos, lime juice, salsa verde, spice, salsa, onion, pepper, parsley, garlic. Then add chopped chicken.
Pour 1/2 of this mixture into pan and smooth. Layer with 1/2 of the shredded cheese. Then add rest of mixture and rest of cheese on top.
If you want cheese without a bit of crust cover and bake covered with aluminum foil - keep it tented so it does not stick to cheese. I baked it without and you get a little bit of a crust, nice though. Bake at 350F for 30 minutes. Serve with tub of sour cream, and salsa or fresh chopped tomatoes on top.
Ultimate comfort food - too bad my husband won't eat them! He is not a cabbage fan although I don't really taste it my Mom always made these in the fall and winter for special occasions. I always have a large pot to make if I am going to see the boys; it doesn't matter how many I make it never seems to be enough ha ha.... This large roaster turns into these portion sizes for the the freezer which they can warm up.
Cabbage Preparation:
Wash a large green cabbage and core as much as possible with a sharp knife. Put cabbage and water to almost cover and heat to boiling on stove. As the leaves fall away, help them with tongs let them cook till tender to a fork and remove from water and place on a large platter. Continue to remove most of the leaves and become tender and remove to platter. Set aside.
Filling:
In saucepan boil 1/2 cup of long grain rice and 1 and 1/4 cup of chicken bouillon stock till rice is tender, about 20 minutes with the lid on medium - stir often. Cool.
In a large bowl mix with your clean hands the meat and spices. Then add the above rice and mix again till blended.
1 lb ground pork
1 lb lean ground beef
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried dill
3/4 tsp salt
3/4 tsp pepper
Sauce:
In a large pot combine oil and onions till they are tender on medium heat. Then add tomatoes and brown sugar and spices. Simmer for 20 minutes.
1 tbsp olive oil
1 large size sweet onion minced
2 28oz cans of crushed tomatoes
3 tbsp brown sugar
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp caraway seed
Large roasting pan - pour half the sauce on the bottom of the pan. As you make the cabbage rolls, lay them into the pan until covered. Then start another layer on top, when finished cover with the rest of the sauce.
On a cutting board lay 1 cabbage leaf and cut down center - this will give you two pieces to fill. I use a small handful of the meat - about the size of two small meatballs at one end of the leaf and then roll up. Place in roasting pan that has sauce on bottom. Continue till all meat filling is used.
Bake covered in 350F oven for 2 hours - serve hot if using for a family feast. If you want you can also make these into the small portions by using sauce on bottom, fill with rolls and sauce on top. Makes a great "care" package to those who love them. :) I know you guys want more next time I come for a visit. Love mom
