Vegetarian, Low-Fat Persian Jeweled Rice in Cabbage

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Vegetarian, Low-Fat Persian Jeweled Rice in Cabbage

 

1 2-pound green cabbage

1 cup long-grain white rice

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 Granny Smith apple, cored and finely chopped

1 small onion, finely chopped

1 small sweet red pepper, seeded

1/3 cup dried currants or chopped and finely chopped raisins

1 teaspoon ground cumin

2 cups hot water

1/4 teaspoon crumbled saffron threads or ground turmeric

1/2 teaspoon salt

 

Core the cabbage but keep it whole. In large pot, heat cabbage and

enough water to cover to boiling over high heat; reduce heat to simmer

and cook 7 minutes. Drain and set aside until cool enough to handle.

Meanwhile, prepare rice. In large skillet, heat oil over medium heat.

Add onion and red pepper; sauté 5 minutes. Stir in cumin and saffron;

cook 2 minutes; stir in rice, apple, and currants; cook 2 minutes.

Add water and salt to rice mixture. Heat to boiling; reduce heat to low,

cover and cook 12 minutes (rice will be undercooked). Remove rice

mixture from heat and set aside.

Remove the 12 best-shaped, largest leaves from the cabbage. Trim the

ribs so they are the same thickness as the leaves. (reserve the

remaining cabbage for another use.)

Oil the inside of an 8-inch metal colander. Line the bottom and inside

of colander with 8 overlapping cabbage leaves. Spoon rice filling

cabbage " bowl, " packing it tightly. Top with remaining 4 cabbage leaves,

tucking ends of leaves inside colander to cover filling completely.

Fill a large pot (one big enough to fit colander inside of) with about 1

inch water. Place colander with stuffed cabbage in pot and heat to

simmering. Cover and steam cabbage 20 minutes. Remove colander with

cabbage from pot and let cool 10 minutes. Place a flat serving plate

upside down on top of colander, then holding the plate and colander

firmly together, turn them over. Gently lift the colander off cabbage

and serve.

Makes 6 servings.

Calories...213...Fat...3 g...Carbs...45 g...Protein...5 g...Sodium...203 mg

....Fiber...5 g.