SWEET & SOUR CABBAGE ROLLS

SWEET & SOUR CABBAGE ROLLS
8 WHOLE cabbage leaves
1 tablespoon avocado oil
1 large Vidalia onion, diced
1 cup carrot sticks
1/2 cup sliced red pepper
1/3 pound ground sirloin
1/3 pound ground pork
1 tablespoon FRESH chopped thyme
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
3 tablespoons tomato paste
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
3 tablespoons PURE maple syrup
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 3/4 cups tomato sauce
1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese

• Preheat oven to 350°.
• Stack leaves in a large dutch oven and cover with boiling water.
• Cover and bring to a boil for 4-6 minutes until cabbage is JUST tender enough to be pliable.
• DRAIN and cool leaves on towel.
• In a large skillet heat oil.
• Brown beef and pork JUST until crumbly.
• Add onion and saute’ 5 minutes.
• Add carrots and peppers, sauteing a couple minutes more.
• Add tomato paste and stir to coat.
• Add Worcestershire sauce, vinegar and syrup, stirring to mix well and stirring often.
• Bring to a simmer.
• Remove from heat.
• Spoon 1/4-1/3 cup of mixture into each cabbage leaf rolling and tucking in the edges.
• Arrange rolls in baking dish seam side down.
• Top with tomato sauce, cover and bake 20 minutes.
• Add mozzarella and return to oven uncovered until cheese melts and rolls are heated through.
• Let stand 5 minutes before serving.