Description
These Easy Napa Cabbage Rolls are a healthy and delicious vegetarian dish featuring a savory tofu and vegetable filling wrapped in tender Napa cabbage leaves. Pan-fried until lightly crisped and served with a spicy, flavorful sauce, they make a perfect appetizer or light meal that’s simple to prepare and packed with umami flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Filling:
- 1 medium carrot, finely chopped
- 3 spring onions, finely sliced
- 4 mushrooms, finely chopped
- 1 block of firm tofu (200–250g), crumbled
- 4 tbsp cooked rice
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp corn starch
For the Rolls:
- 8–10 Napa cabbage leaves
For the Sauce:
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp chilli oil
- 1 tbsp Sriracha sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce or vegan alternative
- 1 tbsp water (adjust to taste)
Instructions
- Sauté the Vegetables: In a large pan over medium heat, sauté the finely chopped carrot, spring onions, and mushrooms for 3–4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Add Tofu: Add the crumbled firm tofu to the pan and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring well to combine the flavors thoroughly.
- Mix the Filling: Stir in the cooked rice, rice vinegar, and soy sauce to the pan mixture to evenly distribute the seasoning.
- Thicken the Filling: Sprinkle corn starch over the mixture and cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring continuously until the filling thickens slightly. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
- Blanch Cabbage Leaves: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and blanch the Napa cabbage leaves for about 1 minute until just tender. Drain and gently pat dry with a clean kitchen towel to remove excess moisture.
- Assemble Rolls: Place a cabbage leaf flat on a clean surface, spoon 2–3 tablespoons of the filling near the base, fold in the sides, then roll tightly to enclose the filling. Repeat with remaining leaves and filling.
- Pan-Fry Rolls: Heat a drizzle of oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat. Place the cabbage rolls seam-side down and fry for 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown and slightly crisped.
- Prepare Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, chilli oil, Sriracha, oyster sauce, and water. Adjust the spiciness or saltiness according to taste.
- Serve: Serve the cabbage rolls warm, drizzled with the sauce or with the sauce on the side as a dipping condiment. Enjoy your flavorful and healthy cabbage rolls!
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, substitute soy sauce with tamari.
- Adjust the spiciness of the sauce by varying the amount of chilli oil and Sriracha.
- The rolls can be prepared in advance and pan-fried just before serving to maintain their crispiness.
- These rolls reheat well, making them ideal for meal prepping.
Keywords: Napa cabbage rolls, vegetarian cabbage rolls, tofu cabbage rolls, Asian appetizer, healthy vegetarian recipe, pan-fried cabbage rolls, easy cabbage rolls