The weekly CSA deliveries continue to make me try new recipes — or at least in this case, a recipe I have never tried despite eating several times. For two or three weeks, I received a small head of cabbage in my share. I've never actually cooked with cabbage, but I remembered that my mom made a tasty Indian cabbage dish that I used to eat a decent amount growing up. So I called her up, and got her recipe — which sure enough, was extremely easy to follow, cooked up incredibly quickly and will definitely be repeated next time I pick up some cabbage!
And the best part — which I learned at work the next day — is that a whole head of cabbage has less than 300 calories! That means each serving of this recipe is maybe 75 – 100 calories at most!
Makes approximately 6 servings
Ingredients:
1 small head cabbage, outer green leaves removed and thoroughly washed (approx. 6 cups of cabbage, after chopped)
1/4 cup peas (can be frozen)
1/2 cup shredded carrot
1 thai green chili pepper
1 tsp. mustard seeds
2 cloves garlic, sliced
3 dried red chili peppers (can be found in Indian grocery stores), broken in half
1 tsp uridahl
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
Vegetable oil
Salt
Directions:
1. Chop the cabbage into small pieces — approximately 1/2 inch wide by 1 – 2 inch long pieces.
2. Place cabbage in the microwave for approximately 2 minutes to pre-cook. Also place peas and carrot in the microwave for approximately 1 minute (if frozen, for 2 minutes).
3. At the same time, heat 2 – 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a saucepan on medium-high heat, and add mustard seeds.
4. After mustard seeds pop, add garlic, red chili pepers, uridahl and cumin, and quickly saute. You want to cook until the garlic softens, but before it browns.
5. Immediately add the cabbage, peas and carrot; sprinkle on the turmeric and salt to taste; and ensure that the seasonings and oil coat all the vegetables.
6. Saute the mixture for 10 – 15 minutes, stirring regularly until the cabbage reaches the consistency you desire. Add more salt to taste before removing from the heat.
7. Serve hot with basmati or long-grain rice, or Indian breads. Think about how something so delicious can be so good for you!
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