Life's a Stitch

I'm retired and supposedly have all the time in the world. But why spend it in a hot kitchen? My retirement strategy included the decision to do it in summer, and although technically spring, the weather has cooperated beautifully. 

My traditional cabbage roll recipe always turns out well, and this cheaty version may not look as pretty, but it takes a fraction of the time and effort and tastes just as good. Fits into my retirement plans just fine. Maybe I should have routinely done it this way when I was working. Seriously, I'd come home from work and make the long version. Over time I came to realize I used cooking for stress reduction. It's ironic, now that I have the time, the levels of stress are lower and I'm cooking more simply.

Cabbage Roll Casserole:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2 lbs ground beef

1 C chopped onion

2 cloves garlic

3 T olive oil

1/2 C catsup

1 14 oz can tomato sauce

1 can tomato soup

1 can condensed beef broth

2 C hot water

1 C uncooked brown or white rice

1 t dry thyme

1 t dry dill

pepper to taste

3lbs chopped cabbage or 3 bags of chopped cole slaw veggies.

In a Dutch oven or large pot that has a cover, brown the first three ingredients in the olive oil. Drain off any liquid and add all but the cabbage. Bake in covered pot for an hour. Stir in cabbage, replace cover and cook for an additional 30 minutes.

Try it and let me know what you think.