Golabki

The preparation of this dish is a tribute to my Polish grandmother. I grew up savoring this dish at our large family get-togethers and its taste takes me back to such times. Although the recipe is not my grandmother's, it was absolutely delicious. The savory filling wrapped in tender cabbage and topped with tomatoes was pure comfort. This recipe is compliments of Emeril Lagasse of Food Network.

Ingredients
1 small whole white cabbage
2 tablespoons butter
1 pound ground beef
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 cup chopped onions
2 cups cooked, long-grain white rice
1 egg
1 teaspoon finely chopped parsley leaves
1/4 cup water
For the sauce:
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
1 cup peeled, seeded and chopped tomatoes
1 teaspoon chopped garlic
Pinch of sugar
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 cup chicken stock
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
Directions
Cut the cabbage in half lengthwise and remove the core . Peel a couple of the outer leaves away from the cabbage halves and discard. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil . Add the cabbage and cook for 20 minutes or until tender . Remove from the water and cool completely . Carefully divide into individual leaves (eight whole leaves are needed) . Set aside . In a large saute pan, over medium heat, melt the butter . Add the meat. Season with salt and pepper . Brown the meat for 5 minutes . Add the onions . Season with salt and pepper . Continue to cook for 4 minutes, or until the onions are translucent . Remove from the heat and turn into a mixing bowl . Cool slightly . Stir in the rice, egg and parsley . Mix well. Season with salt and pepper . Preheat the oven to 375 degrees . place 1/2 cup of the meat and rice mixture in the center of each cabbage leaf . Roll up each leaf tightly . Place in a shallow baking pan, add the water and cover with foil . Bake for 30 minutes . In a saucepan, over medium heat, melt the butter . Stir in the flour and cook for 4 minutes for a blonde roux . Stir in the tomatoes, garlic and sugar . Season with salt and pepper . Continue to cook for 2 minutes . Stir in the stock and the thyme . Bring the liquid to a boil, reduce to a simmer and continue to cook for 15 minutes or until the sauce coats the back of a spoon . To serve, spoon the sauce over each cabbage roll