By Michele
Recently I was browsing through YouTube videos and found a recipe that had 10.8 million views. It was titled “They are so delicious, I make them 3 times a week! A simple recipe!”* The video is in German. Even so, it drew me in as I quickly read the subtitles in frame after frame.
*NOTE: When on the home page for YouTube, type “cabbage” in the search bar. The video will be easily found.
I’m not sure how to describe the dish, but here’s my best effort. It’s a seasoned beef patty baked on a thick slice of cabbage with a special sauce on top (I sound like a McDonald’s ad) and served with roasted potatoes topped with spices, cheese and parsley.
I made the recipe multiple times to perfect the ingredient measurements, baking temperature and cook time. For example, in my first attempt, I found the sauce was not the same color as on the video, although the taste was good, and the patty was overcooked. The final adjustments are in the recipe below. It was easy to recreate, as the ingredients were common and the preparation simple. If you like cabbage and beef patties, you’ll want to try this delicious recipe.
Taste Sensations: As the patty cooks, the drippings from the beef mix and the spices seep into the cabbage. The cabbage holds its shape, and the end result is a tender and flavorful vehicle for the patty. The patty itself is infused with a lot of spice making it a savory sensation. The sauce on top was, as they say, the icing on the cake.
Here’s how to make it:
Ingredients Patties I pound quality beef chopped meat 1 medium onion, chopped 1 tablespoon Italian herbs Grated nutmeg, to taste ½ teaspoon black pepper ½ teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon paprika 2 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce 1 bunch scallions, chopped, including some of the green parts ¼ cup fresh dill, chopped fine 6 tablespoons plain yogurt 1 teaspoon tomato paste (you can substitute with salsa or ketchup)
Cabbage 1 large head of cabbage, in ½-inch slices Salt and pepper Potatoes 3 medium Yukon Gold potatoes with skins, sliced thin ¼ cup vegetable oil 1 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded and divided in half ½ cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped
Preparation Patties 1. In a medium bowl, place chopped meat, onion, Italian herbs, nutmeg, black pepper, salt,
paprika and garlic. 2. Mix thoroughly. Set aside. Sauce 1. In a medium bowl place scallions, dill, yogurt and tomato paste. 2. Mix thoroughly. Set aside.
Cabbage 1. Line a large baking sheet with parchment. 2. Place 4 slices of cabbage and salt and pepper each. Set aside. All of the above can be prepared ahead. Cooking the beef patties 1. Preheat oven to 325F. 2. Make 4 patties from beef mixture and place one on top of each slice of cabbage. 3. Distribute the sauce evenly on top of each patty. 4. Place on baking sheet in preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes.
Cooking the potatoes 1. Preheat oven to 375 F. 2. In medium bowl, place sliced potatoes and oil, mix well. 3. Place on parchment lined baking sheet and distribute ½ cup of cheese on top. Bake for
20 minutes then turn potatoes and cook another 20 minutes until browned and crisp. 4. When out of the oven, sprinkle on remaining cheese and chopped parsley. (I baked them
prior to the patties as it was impossible to cook them together due to differences in
temperature and baking times- unless you have a double oven.)
Taste Sensations: The potatoes were crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. The cheese topping added just the right salty flavor. My thoughts: After making this recipe multiple times, I can honestly say that my husband and I thoroughly enjoyed it and I plan to make it yet again for visiting guests. Give it a try, you won’t regret it.
I can’t help but wonder how many of the 10.8 viewers actually made this dish!