Name: Warak Arish (Stuffed Cabbage Leaves)
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 100 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 1 large cabbage; 300 g short-grain rice; 400 g ground beef (optional); 2 onions, finely chopped; 1 bunch parsley, chopped; 20 g mint, chopped; 2 tomatoes, diced; 80 ml olive oil; juice of 2 lemons; 6 garlic cloves, sliced; 1 tsp salt; 1 tsp allspice

Instructions

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1Core the cabbage and blanch the leaves 3 minutes until pliable.

2Mix the rice, meat (if using), onions, herbs, tomatoes, half the oil, salt and allspice.

3Cut the leaves into palm-size squares and place a spoonful of filling on each.

4Roll tightly, tucking the sides in, like small cigars.

5Line the pot with torn leaves, pack the rolls in circles, layer by layer.

6Cover with water, the rest of the oil, garlic and a plate to weigh down.

7Simmer covered 50 minutes. Add the lemon juice in the last 10 minutes.

8Rest 15 minutes, then invert onto a platter.

Chef's Tip

A plate weighting the rolls keeps them tight while the rice swells — no plate, loose rolls.

More tips ↓

Lemon at the end, not the start: acid early keeps the cabbage stubbornly firm.
Torn leaves lining the pot protect the bottom layer from scorching.

Warak Arish (Stuffed Cabbage Leaves)

Ingredients

Instructions

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