Help freezing cabbage rolls
Can anyone please enlighten me on how to best freeze cabbage rolls?
The recipe I usually use is for the crock pot (from Saving Dinner). Normally, I would parboil the cabbage, stuff if with a meat/rice mixture (uncooked), top it with a tomato sauce mixture and the rest of the shredded cabbage, and cook.
So at what step do I freeze? I planned to follow the same steps, but freeze just before cooking. Will that work? Here are my questions specifically-
Do I still parboil the cabbage before freezing?
Do I freeze the rolls with the sauce, or put the sauce in a separate bag to freeze, and pour over the cabbage rolls before cooking?
Can I freeze uncooked, and then put the rolls into the crockpot (either frozen or thawed) to cook?
Or do I need to cook first, then freeze?
If I cook first, how do I cook in the oven instead of in the crock pot?
Sorry for so many questions, but I really appreciate your help!
RE: Help freezing cabbage rolls
I come from a long line of cabbage roll makers (Ukrainian family!) and the way I have seen it done is the following:
Prepare the cabbage rolls as you normally would if you were going to bake it right away. Roll the rice/meat/whatever in the boiled cabbage, and then put the cabbage rolls into a plastic bag or freezer container. Store the sauce/tomato mixture separately, and then when you go to prepare the rolls, take them out a few hours prior and let them thaw. Then put the thawed rolls into your roaster (or I guess crockpot?) and pour the sauce over and cook. My mom does it that way very successfully!
Good luck!
Susan
RE: Help freezing cabbage rolls
Thanks for the info! I was afraid they would be too mushy, so glad to hear they turn out ok.