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Vegan Chou Farci (Cabbage Stuffed with Barley and Lentils)

March 26, 2015 By Susan Voisin 41 Comments
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Vegan Chou Farci (Cabbage Stuffed with Barley and Lentils)

For the first time, my garden managed to produce not one but four heads of cabbage. I’ve had a lot of trouble in the past with heading vegetables; sometimes they never form heads or, if they do, hungry hungry caterpillars get to eat them before I do. But last fall, I planted tiny cabbage plants alongside my collards, and four out of five of them grew into actual cabbages:

Homegrown Cabbage

Right around St. Patrick’s Day, I realized that I was likely to have a surplus of cabbage, though not in time for that holiday. So I started paying attention to recipes for cabbage, regardless of whether they were Irish or not, and I accumulated a few. I hope to experiment with both sauerkraut and kimchi in the coming weeks, but first I wanted to make a vegan version of a stuffed cabbage that I noticed in Mimi Thorisson’s beautiful but totally not vegan cookbook, A Kitchen in France.

I was mesmerized by the photos in the book, especially for the dish called Chou Farçi. The idea of stuffing a cabbage in a casserole dish rather than as individual cabbage rolls appealed to my lazy side, though after I found the recipe online and really took a look at it, I realized that it was still more complicated than the kind of easy meals I like to make, especially when I started considering whole-foods substitutions for the ground meat it called for. I love using a combination of lentils and grains instead of ground meat, but both would need to be cooked beforehand, making a vegan version of the recipe take much longer than the original to prepare.

While I contemplated time-saving techniques, I went ahead and cooked the pearled barley and stored it in the fridge for several days. On my weekly shopping trip, I picked up a can of lentils, just in case I was running short on time. And then it hit me that the “secret” to making this recipe less arduous is to make it a little bit at a time. Even the cabbage leaves can be cooked ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator.

Vegan Chou Farci (Cabbage Stuffed with Barley and Lentils)

The second hurdle that I had to get over was the seasoning. Ms. Thorisson’s version uses a French seasoning blend called Rabelais spice, which she describes as a blend of allspice, nutmeg, and curry. I wasn’t sure whether she meant curry powder or curry leaves, and Google searches revealed nothing definitive because the formula is a closely held secret that its manufacturer is not divulging. The recipe recommends allspice as a replacement, but since I find allspice overpowering on its own, I came up with my own spice blend that includes cumin instead of curry, along with smoked paprika and cayenne pepper to replace the smokiness and spice of the ground sausage. So I don’t know how authentic my vegan version of Chou Farçi tastes, but to my taste buds, it was delicious.

As you can see, it makes a dramatic presentation. I decided to call it a main dish rather than a side and 4 servings rather than 6 because I know that when I go to this much trouble to make a dish, I’m not cooking much else! I served it with a big chopped salad and it made 4 filling servings.

One note about the cabbage: Those outer dark green leaves are beautiful, and it’s tempting to use them rather than discard them, but they are tough. I used one as the first leaf to line my casserole dish so that the top would be pretty, but that leaf was much tougher than the others, and I wound up removing it from each serving. So please throw out those outer leaves and don’t let beauty matter more than flavor!

Vegan Chou Farci (Cabbage Stuffed with Barley and Lentils)

Vegan Chou Farci (Cabbage Stuffed with Barley and Lentils)
4.84 from 6 votes
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Vegan Chou Farci (Cabbage Stuffed with Barley and Lentils)

Nut Free
Soy Free
Sugar Free
Be sure you have your lentils cooked before beginning this recipe. I like to make both the barley and lentils at least a day or two ahead of time or use canned lentils to save time. 3/4 cup of dried lentils will equal about 1 1/2 cups after they are cooked.
Prep Time 40 minutes minutes
Cook Time 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes
Total Time 1 hour hour 50 minutes minutes
Servings 4
Author Susan Voisin

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup pearl barley, uncooked (other large grains, such as farro, may be used)
  • 1 1/2 cups water or vegetable broth
  • 1 teaspoon vegetable bouillon or 1 bouillon cube if water is used
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 2 carrots diced
  • 1 1/2 cup cooked lentils (green, brown, or black) or 1 15-ounce can, drained well
  • 4 cloves garlic thinly sliced
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon sweet smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon allspice
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper or to taste
  • 1/2 cup tomato sauce
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 large cabbage
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Instructions

  • First cook the barley (you may do this several days in advance): In the pressure cooker, add the barley, water (or vegetable broth), and bouillon, if needed. Lock the lid and cook at high pressure for 20 minutes. Release the pressure and allow barley to stand covered until all water is absorbed. For regular, non-pressure cooking, bring the water or broth to boil. Add the barley, reduce heat, and simmer for 50 to 60 minutes. If not using right away, place in a storage container and refrigerate.
  • Heat a large, deep skillet. Add the onions and carrots and cook, stirring, until the onions soften, about 4 minutes. Add water by the tablespoon if needed to prevent sticking. Add the barley, cooked lentils, garlic, thyme, bay leaf, and all spices. Cook, stirring, for two minutes. Add the tomato sauce, reduce the heat to low, and cook until the liquid is absorbed, about 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Set aside to cool.
  • Discard the tough outer leaves of the cabbage. Cut around the core and carefully remove about 10 of the largest leaves. If the stem ends of the leaves seem thick, use a vegetable peeler to slice away some of the thickness (see image here). Bring a large pot of water to boil and add the leaves. Boil for 8 minutes. Remove each leaf carefully and allow to drain and cool in a colander.
  • Preheat oven to 350F. Oil a deep 7-inch soufflé or baking dish. Place the largest of the cabbage leaves bowl-side up the the dish, positioned so that it covers the bottom and part of the sides. Repeat with 2 to 4 more leaves until the bottom and sides are covered. Place a layer of barley-lentil filling in the bowl created by the cabbage, using 1/3 of the filling. Smooth it evenly so that it spreads to all sides. Top it with a cabbage leaf. Repeat with two more layers of filling alternating with a cabbage leaf. Top with a cabbage leaf, bowl side down, and tuck it in around the sides. Using a large spoon or your hand, press down on the leaf, packing in the filling and making sure there are no air bubbles.
  • Bake uncovered for 30-40 minutes. Remove. Carefully insert a table knife against the edge of the dish and run it around to make sure there are no stuck-on edges. Place an upside-down serving plate on top, and invert the casserole onto the plate. Serve hot.

Notes

Once serving is 3 points on Weight Watchers Freestyle program. Two servings are 5 points.
Nutrition Facts
Vegan Chou Farci (Cabbage Stuffed with Barley and Lentils)
Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
Calories 251 Calories from Fat 10
% Daily Value*
Fat 1.1g2%
Sodium 388.3mg17%
Carbohydrates 51.5g17%
Fiber 15.2g63%
Sugar 9.8g11%
Protein 12.4g25%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutritional info is approximate.

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Vegan Chou Farci: Layers of cabbage alternate with a delicious filling of barley and lentils in this vegan version of the classic French dish. #vegan #wfpb #plantbased #french #recipe

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Filed Under: Instant Pot and Pressure Cooker, Main Dishes, Recipes Tagged With: Casseroles, Eat-to-Live, Greens, lentil recipes, Soy-free, Weight Watchers Points

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. The Vegan Junction

    March 26, 2015 at 1:17 pm

    What a fabulous creation, and what a great use for cabbage! I like the substitutions you chose to make, including the addition of cumin and paprika. I’m not a huge fan of nutmeg. And I like your suggestion for how to simplify the preparation of an otherwise rather complex recipe. Nice presentation too!

    Reply
  2. Anca

    March 26, 2015 at 1:27 pm

    The dish looks amazing, very posh. Congrats!

    Reply
  3. Kathryn Polster

    March 26, 2015 at 2:05 pm

    Wow this is so beautiful! I want to make it right now!

    Reply
  4. moonwatcher

    March 26, 2015 at 2:17 pm

    Susan, this is the most beautiful presentation of cabbage I have ever seen! I am in love! And ah, the French half of me so approves of your work to veganize this dish. I even love the name. I will have to try this sometime. But for now I am just going to drool over these beautiful photographs of it. I am thinking that maybe buckwheat groats would also work as a gluten free option to barley or farrow. Your cabbage plants should be proud to help produce such a culinary work of art!!

    xoxo

    Maria

    Reply
  5. Cara O'Sullivan

    March 26, 2015 at 2:20 pm

    Susan, could you make these in the Instant Pot or any electric pressure cooker?

    Reply
    • Susan Voisin

      March 26, 2015 at 2:29 pm

      Cara, I give instructions for cooking the barley in the pressure cooker, and you could certainly do the lentils and sautéing in it, but there’s no way to cook the entire casserole in the pressure cooker.

      Reply
  6. Kerstin A Decker

    March 26, 2015 at 2:28 pm

    this sounds very good. I will make it this way, until now I did it by rolling the leaves around my filling, but this is much easier and fun. I am german with a french father, so I am always going back to my european background. Thank you very much

    Reply
  7. Jennifer

    March 26, 2015 at 2:36 pm

    I love the look of this dish

    Reply
  8. Valri

    March 26, 2015 at 2:53 pm

    How wonderful! I avidly read both your and Mimi’s blogs and had actually favorited this particular recipe to see if I could veganize it. I even sent away for the Rabelais spice. What a wonderful surprise to find that you have done this! I can’t wait to attempt this. Thank you so much!

    Reply
  9. oceanfrontcabin

    March 26, 2015 at 3:28 pm

    Susan: You’re amazing! Thanks so much for doing all this work to bring us this recipe. I can’t wait. I literally just put my barley in the oven (I oven cook all my grains as I have neither rice nor pressure cooker). I’m making this recipe tomorrow. Your cabbage is amazing. I wish I could grow a cabbage like that.

    Reply
  10. lani

    March 26, 2015 at 4:16 pm

    This looks just beautiful Susan…thank you for your creation!!

    Reply
  11. John sachanda

    March 26, 2015 at 4:23 pm

    Very good job with this dish. I would not,however,dismiss the outer leaves of the cabbage. Yes they are tougher, but using them to line the casserole is a good way to use them. I make a lazy stuffed cabbage dish where I build the dish I a slow cooker, layer by layer, utilizing cooked brown rice, barley, lentils, wheat berries or any other grains along with mushrooms. I add tooled oats to hold the stuffing together. Don’t forget green peppers and sautéed onions for flavor. The cabbage breaks down very tender in the crock pot or after 3-4 hours in a casserole. The tomato sauce provides all the liquid you need. Keep up the good work. Love all your dishes.

    Reply
  12. Jill

    March 26, 2015 at 6:15 pm

    Do you sell your photos?

    I have Edward Weston’s “Cabbage Leaf, 1931” framed in my hallway, and I’d love that cabbage photo in my kitchen!

    Reply
  13. oceanfrontcabin

    March 26, 2015 at 6:42 pm

    Susan: are we supposed to leave out the allspice or add it. From your comments, I’m confused about what to do. Is this spicy? I’m about to add cayenne, but a bit intimidated by it.

    Reply
    • Susan Voisin

      March 26, 2015 at 6:51 pm

      Skip the cayenne if you don’t like spicy, or cut it down to 1/8 tsp. Use the allspice. The original recipe used more allspice and it was the ONLY spice–that’s what I didn’t like about it.

      Reply
  14. Marcia

    March 26, 2015 at 9:19 pm

    OMGosh Susan, this is (almost!) too beautiful to eat. Absolutely stunning! Thank you for the recipe and for sharing pictures of your garden in action; I’m envious! I can hardly wait to try this. We just don’t get enough recipes that honor the humble cabbage. Yum! Thank you again, Marcia

    Reply
  15. Maria

    March 26, 2015 at 10:24 pm

    this is beautiful! What an amazing presentation!

    Reply
  16. Mina @ Grow Cook Eat

    April 1, 2015 at 2:59 am

    That dish is stunning! We’ve just planted in our very first allotment (I’m not sure if that’s just a UK thing, but it’s a big of land you rent from the council to grow food on!) and are so excited about all the homemade produce we’ll get!

    I have all these ingredients, except the cabbage, in my pantry, so I’ll definitely be trying it!

    Reply
  17. Elizabeth S.

    April 1, 2015 at 12:21 pm

    I love cabbage and lentils! Barley… not so much. Or should I say, Barley and my digestive system just don’t get along. Do you have any suggestions for a substitute for the Barley? This dish is absolutely beautiful. I am very excited to give it a try. Thanks ~Elizabeth

    Reply
    • Chery

      April 2, 2015 at 4:29 pm

      Try quinoa or farro

      Reply
  18. oceanfrontcabin

    April 2, 2015 at 4:14 pm

    Susan: I finally finished this and ended up making it with Napa cabbage that had darker green leaves than the green cabbage in my grocery store. I think it would have worked with Bok Choy leaves too if they are darker green. And I used just one cabbage layer mid-dish to keep it more tender. Anyway, it came out perfectly and we loved it. If I knew how, I’d attach a photo.

    Thanks so much for the recipe!

    Reply
  19. Chery

    April 2, 2015 at 4:27 pm

    If you have a juicer, you can juice those tougher outer leaves, and the leaves of broccoli too.

    Reply
  20. Savita @ ChefDeHome

    April 3, 2015 at 4:31 pm

    This stuffed cabbage sure looks very beautiful. Use of barley and lentils are certainly my taste. My family loves lentils and this looks like will be great for our Sunday family dinner! thanks for sharing, Susan! loved the recipe.

    Reply
  21. Sam

    April 3, 2015 at 6:16 pm

    Hello,

    I hope you are doing fine and before I forget Happy Easter.

    Further, I love all your recipes not that I can make it like you do.

    I have a request. Can you come up with a good quality recipe with out loosing key nutrients for an INDIAN Bittermelon?

    It will be a blessing recipe for someone suffering from diabetes.

    Thank You. Have a nice evening.

    Looking forward to hearing from you soon.

    Regards,
    Sam

    Reply
  22. sylvie

    April 3, 2015 at 11:59 pm

    Never seen such a pretty stuffed cabbage before. It’s really amazingly impressive!

    Reply
  23. Morten

    April 5, 2015 at 4:07 am

    Hey Susan, what a beautiful and nourishing dish, would love to have some of that. Also couldn’t help notice you had some difficulties in the garden. Have you tried the mittleider method? with that its practically guaranteed to produce consistent yields of almost any vegetable every year.

    Reply
  24. Dana

    April 9, 2015 at 1:49 am

    I made this for dinner earlier this week. What a win! It was totally delicious and pretty.

    Reply
  25. Jose

    April 9, 2015 at 2:09 pm

    That cabbage stuffed with barley and lentils looks awsome. http://www.veggietips.com is my blog. Check it out.

    Reply
  26. Michele Chorman

    April 21, 2015 at 5:11 pm

    I made this recipe for tonight’s dinner. It was great! My cabbage was small and not as green, so not as pretty. But we loved the taste and the presentation. It will probably be a staple around my house, especially on holidays. I could see that if I changed the basic spices, it could be Italian, or American. Something I might play with. But the spices as they are are so good and different. Very nice! Thanks. This site is my regular go-to spot for many many meals!

    Reply
  27. Evans

    June 19, 2015 at 1:58 am

    Looks so delicious and healthy !!!! Will try it.

    Reply
  28. Rebecca

    December 9, 2015 at 4:49 pm

    Ooh! I love, love this recipe! I added 4-5 dehydrated shiitake mushrooms (that I turned to powder in the spice grinder) and a splash of tamari just to amp up the umami flavor for my meat eating husband and he loved it! No “you know what would make this better, meat!” Comment at all. Thank you for this recipe.

    Reply
  29. sheetal

    July 31, 2017 at 2:21 am

    Oh man. I love how decadent this is, i will try this for sure.

    Reply
  30. Kerstin

    September 23, 2017 at 3:25 pm

    This cabbage I will make this week. Looks so delicious

    Reply
  31. Lori

    November 5, 2017 at 5:05 pm

    Has anyone tried assembling this the day before then baking the day of?

    Reply
  32. Rosalie

    November 22, 2017 at 1:47 pm

    This dish looks and sounds yummy. I am planning to make for Thanksgiving. Can I put it together one day and bake the next day? We are eating early because we have family that has to work. Thank you. I love our recipes.

    Reply
    • Susan Voisin

      November 22, 2017 at 2:06 pm

      I don’t see any reason that wouldn’t work. Have a happy Thanksgiving!

      Reply
  33. Susan Wright

    March 4, 2018 at 12:02 pm

    wow this looks great Thank you

    Reply
  34. Elaine

    February 8, 2021 at 6:39 am

    Greetings! So glad I found your website, so many wonderful recipes!! We don’t use bullion, what should I used as a substitute? Thank you!

    Reply
    • Susan Voisin

      February 8, 2021 at 12:56 pm

      You can use salt and add extra seasonings.

      Reply
  35. Anne

    March 1, 2024 at 9:42 pm

    I suppose I’m too thick to figure out what you meant when you wrote “Place the largest of the cabbage leaves bowl-side up the the dish”. I would have benefitted from a picture of this or a video.

    Reply
    • Susan Voisin

      March 1, 2024 at 10:06 pm

      The large cabbage leaves are rounded like a bowl. Take the largest one and put it in the casserole dish so that the concave side is up—so that it can be filled like a bowl. If I make it again, I will be sure to take photos.

      Reply

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Susan VoisinI'm Susan Voisin, and I love creating delicious whole foods plant-based dishes with no added oil. Be sure to follow me on Facebook and Instagram.
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