Cabbage Crown

I'm really into crockpot cooking these days & am trying to expand my crockpot horizons. I haven't made this yet, but this is from "Extra Special Crockery Pot Recipes" & sounds like such a spectacular idea that I couldn't wait to share. Don't be intimidated by what may appear to be complex directions. My feeling is this is a lot easier than it sounds at 1st glance. NOTE: The ingredients & prep of this recipe have been amended to enhance the flavor & texture of the meat filling.

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Serves: 6
• Yields: 6 Wedges

Ingredients

• 1  lb ground beef
• 4  tablespoons flour
• 1⁄2 cup  seasoned stuffing mix (Pepperidge Farm, crushed well)
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon pepper
• 1  egg
• 1⁄2 cup milk
• 2  tablespoons onions (grated)
• 1  large cabbage
• 1  cup boiling water
• 1  teaspoon whole cloves

Directions

1. Put ground beef, flour, dressing mix, salt, pepper & egg in a large bowl & combine well.
2. Gradually add milk, 1 tbsp at a time, till mixture appears smooth & well-compacted.
3. Stir onion in, mix well & set aside.
4. Trim off outside leaves of cabbage. Cut off a slice about an inch thick from core end & set aside.
5. Cut core from cabbage with a sharp knife & then hollow out cabbage to make a shell about 1/2 in thick. (Chop cut out pieces coarsley & save for use another day).
6. Spoon meat mixture into shell. Fit cut slice back into place & tie tightly with soft kitchen string.
7. Place stuffed cabbage (core end down) in crockpot & add boiling water + 1 teaspoon whole cloves to the bottom of the crockpot.
8. Cook on low for 8 hrs, on high for 4 hrs or till cabbage is tender. Remove cabbage & keep warm. Remove & discard whole cloves.
9. GRAVY: Set heat control on high. Combine 3 tbsp flour & 1/3 cup cold water in a cup. Pour into liquid in slow cooker. Cover & cook 15 minutes. Season to taste with salt & pepper & darken with a few drops of bottled gravy coloring as desired.
10. TO SERVE: Place stuffed cabbage on a heated serving platter, remove string, cut cabbage carefully into 6 wedges & spoon gravy over the wedges. Serve immediately.