Aunt Laurie's Unrolled Cabbage Rolls

I absolutely love cloves.  But aside from putting them in my chai, I'm never quite sure what to do with them. Here is a delicious way to make a one-dish meal featuring cloves.  Whats more, this dinner is loaded with fiber, meat and grain proteins, and just a tiny bit of sugar, which means that for a small amount of calories you'll stay feeling satisfied for longer.

Aunt Laurie's Unrolled Cabbage Rolls, prepped and ready
to freeze.

Ingredients
2 tbsp olive oil
1 head cabbage, coarsely chopped
2 tsp salt, divided (1/1)
1/2 cup water
1 (15-oz) can tomato sauce
1/2 tsp ground cloves
2 bay leaves
2 tbsp brown sugar, packed
1/2 onion, finely chopped and divided (2/3 and 1/3)
1 lb ground turkey
1 cup cooked rice
1 egg, beaten
2/3 cup milk (or soy milk for dairy free preparation)
1/4 tsp pepper
2 tsp garlic powder
cooking spray

Cabbage rolls times four at our make-ahead party!

Make-Ahead Preparation

• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Add cabbage and salt; sautee for about one minute, then add water.  Cover and cook, stirring often, until cabbage is wilted (approximately 10 minutes).
• In a saucepan, combine tomato sauce, cloves, bay leaves, brown sugar, and 1/3 of the onion.  Over medium heat, bring to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently.  Cover and let simmer for approximately 10 minutes.
• In a large bowl, combine remaining ingredients (except cooking spray).  
• Coat 9x16" glass (not metal) baking dish with cooking spray.  Place half of the cabbage in the dish, distributing evenly across the bottom.  Next, layer on half of the sauce.  Then add all of the meat mixture, dropping in spoonfuls to distribute evenly.  Cover with the remaining cabbage, and then the remaining sauce.  
• Cover (but not with foil) and freeze.
• Note:  Do not use an aluminum dish or cover, as they may react with the sauce.

To Serve

• Thaw completely in refrigerator, at least overnight.
• Preheat oven to 350°F.  Cook for approximately 1 hour, until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• If sauce begins to brown, cover with foil and continue cooking.