Cabbage Rolls

I've relied on this recipe for years, and my cabbage rolls never fail to impress. As the host of a number of holiday parties, my guests have come to expect this main entree.

Ingreadient:

• 12 cabbage leaves
• 2 pounds ground beef
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 2 cups cooked long grain rice
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/4 cup butter, cubed
• 1 large onion, halved and thinly sliced
• 2 celery ribs, chopped
• 2-1/2 cups water
• 2 cans (one 15 ounces, one 8 ounces) tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Directions :

1. In batches, cook cabbage leaves in boiling water until crisp-tender, 3-5 minutes. Drain; cool slightly. Trim the thick vein from the bottom of each cabbage leaf, making a V-shaped cut.
2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef, salt and pepper over medium heat until no longer pink, breaking into crumbles, 8-10 minutes; drain. Stir in rice and eggs.
3. In another skillet, heat butter over medium-high heat. Add onion and celery; cook and stir until tender, 6-8 minutes. Stir in water, tomato sauce, lemon juice, sugar, parsley, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until thickened, 15-20 minutes.
4. Spoon about 1/2 cup meat mixture onto each cabbage leaf. Pull together cut edges of leaf to overlap; fold over filling. Fold in sides and roll up. Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Pour sauce over rolls. Refrigerate, covered, overnight.
5. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 350°. Bake, covered, until heated through, 50-60 minutes.