Finnish Cabbage Casserole (Kaalilaatikko)

Finnish Cabbage Casserole, known as Kaalilaatikko, is a comforting and hearty dish perfect for the colder months. Combining ground beef, cabbage, and aromatic spices, this casserole captures the essence of Finnish cuisine with its warm flavors and nourishing ingredients. It's often served with rye bread and lingonberry jam for an authentic Nordic meal experience.

Ingredients

💧 2 cups water
🍚 3/4 cup short grain rice, plus about 3/4 cup cooked rice total 1.5 cups cooked rice
🧂 Pinch of salt, plus additional to taste
🥩 1 pound 1/3 approx. 600g organic ground beef
🌶️ Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
🧄 Ground allspice, to taste
🧅 1/2 red onion, diced
🥕 3 small carrots, diced
🌿 Herbes de Provence mix, to taste from Pentti Spices
🥣 2 cups beef stock, plus more for final casserole
🍯 3 tablespoons molasses Grandma's Supreme Baking Molasses
🥬 1 head of cabbage, shredded
🛢️ Oil for frying used from a spray bottle

Instructions

1- Cook the Rice:

• In a Staub small pot, bring 2 cups of water to a boil.
• Add 3/4 cup of short grain rice along with a pinch of salt.
• Stir occasionally and cook until a thick rice porridge forms. Set aside.

2- Brown the Beef:

• Heat a Fini frying pan on a generic induction cooktop.
• Add the ground beef, seasoning it well with salt, black pepper, and ground allspice.
• Break up the meat with a wooden spoon and brown thoroughly.

3- Sauté Aromatics:

• Add diced red onion and carrots to the browned beef.
• Sauté until the vegetables are softened.

4- Season the Mixture:

• Stir in Herbes de Provence or marjoram to the beef and vegetable mixture.
• Add approximately 2 cups of beef stock and 2 tablespoons of molasses.
• Mix well, taste, and adjust the seasoning with more salt if necessary.
• Add an additional tablespoon of molasses to enhance the flavor.

5- Combine Ingredients:

• Transfer the meat mixture to a white ceramic oven vessel.
• Add the cooked rice, mixing well.

6- Fry Cabbage:

• Using the same Fini frying pan, heat a small amount of oil.
• Fry the shredded cabbage in batches if necessary, seasoning with salt and pepper, until softened.

7- Final Assembly:

• Add the fried cabbage to the casserole dish, mixing with the meat and rice.
• Pour in additional beef stock and drizzle more molasses over the mixture.

8- Bake:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Bake the casserole for about 30 minutes until the top is browned and caramelized.

9- Rest:

• Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 30 minutes before serving.

Prep Time: 15-20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 4-6
Calories: Approximately 400
Proteins: 20g
Fats: 15g
Carbohydrates: 40g
Equipment:

• Staub small pot
• Generic induction cooktop
• Fini frying pan
• Generic chef’s knife and cutting board
• White ceramic oven vessel

Cooking Tips

• Stir rice while cooking to prevent burning.
• Fry cabbage in batches if necessary to avoid crowding.
• Use Grandma's Supreme Baking Molasses for the ideal flavor balance.
• Serve with rye bread and lingonberry jam for an authentic touch.

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Finnish Cabbage Casserole (Kaalilaatikko)