Things seldom work as planned. Having said that, my husband was planning to take his aging parents to India from quite some time and my daughter suggested that we should also take the vacation at the same time. When everything worked out well, we all decided to leave the next day of Holi (March 9th). But our plans went totally derailed following the death of my father-in-law on Holi day. Health-wise he was doing very well, and we were totally caught off guard. That makes me think how vulnerable life is. We plan days and years ahead, when we have no clue if we will even live to see that moment…
His death is saddening but I feel relieved that he passed away peacefully in home and not in flight.
Today, I’m re posting an old post for which I already made the video in the beginning of this month.
Sometimes the dishes that sound boring turns out to be the most addictive. When we got married my husband told me he did not like certain vegetables. I found out later that the reason he didn’t like those vegetables were just because they were cooked terribly when he was growing up. His mom knew only basic vegetable recipes which she made them repeatedly. They were always soggy and flavorless. When I started cooking and asked my husband to try, he totally changed his tune. He gladly started eating a lot of different things he would have normally not eaten. Although he still refuses to eat potatoes that I know he really actually dislikes. The important thing is that he enjoys my cooking 🙂
Cabbage was one of the vegetables he disliked because it was always served him overcooked. The recipe I am going to share has a much more interesting texture. That’s how I learned it from my my mother. It cooks fast and involves few ingredients. You keep the cabbage for the minimal time on the heat so that it retains its crunchiness. It is tempered with mustard seeds and lentils which greatly adds to the taste and texture. Paneer is optional but makes it more delicious making it nutritionally adequate. My husband loves this and eats as a salad with some meat on side.
Enjoy this dish as a main with rice or roti or as a side or as a filling for wraps and sandwiches. I use these organic gluten free wraps and they are perfect for someone on paleo diet. I usually use the yogurt based spread with cucumbers but you can even use hummus or any other spread that you like. Then place cooked cabbage and the usual add ins like onion and tomato towards one side. The wrap stays good for several hours.
Healthy and flavorful side dish that can also be used as a filling for wraps.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cabbage head (700g)
- 2 tbsp. coconut oil
- 2 1/2 tbsp. bengal gram daal
- 1 tsp black mustard seeds
- 1/2 cup red onion, sliced
- 1 tsp ginger garlic paste
- Lemon juice optional
- 200 g paneer, thinly sliced
- 3/4 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp red chilli powder
- 2 green chilies, chopped
- 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Heat oil in a wok or wide skillet over medium until shimmering.
- Add 1 black mustard seed. When the seed sizzles and pops, add remaining mustard seeds, cover, and cook until seeds start popping, about 10 seconds. When popping starts to subside, immediately add chana dal. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, tossing constantly, until daal is reddish golden brown and smell nutty, about 2 minutes.
- Halfway through add sliced onion. Cook for 1 minute add ginger garlic paste, turmeric and red chili powder. Cook for 30m seconds.
- Add cabbage, and salt, and cook it with lid on for 5 minutes, then remove lid and cook further stirring, until cabbage wilts but still has a little crunch, 3–5 minutes. Add sliced paneer and continue to cook until heated through, about 1 minute more.
- Remove from heat. Stir in cilantro, green chilies and lemon juice. Taste and add more lemon juice and salt if needed.
This recipe is shared with MeatfreeMondays.
marcie
I felt that way about rhubarb. I thought it was awful but I’d never tried it cooked properly, which made all the difference in the world! I’m a huge fan of cabbage and would gladly eat this every day!
Evi @ greenevi
Yes, yes, yessssss!!!! Give me all the cabbage! This looks so good!
I find that I always have a half head of cabbage left in my fridge, so next time I’ll be definitely making this 🙂
Angie@Angie's Recipes
I love a good cabbage stirfry. The gf wrap looks quite interesting too.
David @ Spiced
Oh, I totally know what you mean about veggies being ruined because I didn’t like them as a kid. Cauliflower is totally one of those! I’ve been enjoying it roasted lately with a bit of garlic, but I totally want to try it in stirfry form now. This sounds quite delicious!!
amrita
even same case for my better half…simple stir fry looks so good
Monica
My husband and I love cabbage. Why haven’t I used a cabbage stir fry for a wrap or a taco filling. Makes total senses and looks delicious!
Tarnjit Hemer
Yum! Looks delicious! I’ve never tried it with Chana Dahl or paneer. How innovative!
Alida @My Little Italian Kitchen
What a wonderful dish. Cabbage is also an excellent healthy veg to have. Great inventive recipe
Blackswan
We Chinese love stir-fried cabbage too & we usually add dried shrimps to make it more fragrant. xoxo
Katerina
The way of cooking and the skill of the cook play a major role in our preferences! This cabbage looks delicious!
cheri
Love how you prepared the cabbage, I think you are so right, it really matters how veggies are cooked. Love this dish.
Maria
I stir fry it with dessicated coconut and whole red chilli peppers usually. I’m loving the addition of paneer in your recipe for more fulfilling meal.
Judee
I don’t think it sounds boring at all. The spices sound amazing and I always love cabbage. I think it looks really pretty too.
Balvinder
Yes, the way I cooked it tastes wonderful and crunchy.
sherry
I love cabbage and I love the flavours here. Wow, I can’t believe someone doesn’t like potatoes! I thought they were universally loved 🙂 Sorry to hear about your FIL. Yes life is very uncertain and we must treasure it!
2pots2cook
Sorry to read your father in law passed away. May he rest in peace.
Since we both love cabbage, this is great idea for our 30 minutes to prepare week dinner. Thank you very much!
Tara
Hello Balvinder ji,
I accidentally stumbled on your blog. I loved this cabbage recipe, in Gujarat India, cabbage is stir fried in a similar way and is called Sambharo. This looks yummy, I have book marked your blog and hope to visit it often. Sorry for your loss!
Balvinder
Hello Tara,
Welcome to my food blog and thanks for the kind message.
I love Gujarati food. Now I have to find more about Sambharo. Stay in touch.
Carol
I love cabbage and am always looking for ways to cook it.