Purple Cabbage stir fry ( கலர் கோஸ் பொரியல் )

Purple Cabbage stir fry ( கலர் கோஸ் பொரியல் )

Ingredients:

Purple Cabbage (  கலர் கோஸ் )  - 250 grams

Green peas ( பச்சை பட்டாணி ) or Channa Dhal ( Iகடலை பருப்பு )  - a handful or approx 50 g

Grated Coconut ( தேங்காய் துருவல் )  -  3 tbsp

Mustard ( கடுகு )  -  1/2 tsp

Urad Dal ( உளுந்தம் பருப்பு )  - 1/2 tsp

Garlic ( பூண்டு )  -  3 cloves ( peel and pound )

Green Chili ( பச்சை மிளகாய் )  - 1 or 2 

Curry Leaves ( கறிவேப்பிலை )  -  a twig

Steps:

Wash and slice the cabbage into thin pieces.
Steam the vegetable in an Idli steamer or any steamer.
Soak the channa dhal for half an hour. It can be cooked in a small cup kept in the boiling water of the steamer. The green peas can also be cooked in the same way.
If frozen peas are used, soak in hot water for a few minutes and transfer to the steamed cabbage.

In a pan, add a teaspoon of oil. When the oil is hot enough, add mustard and urad dhal.
As it cracks, toss in the pounded garlic and green chili followed by curry leaves. Saute for a minute.
Add in the steamed cabbage and the boiled channa or the green peas.
Add salt and mix well.
Finally, add the grated coconut and switch off the flame.
Mix well and transfer to a serving bowl.

My Notes:

The crimson or purple cabbage is a feast for both eyes and stomach.

An excellent vegetable with a long list of benefits, cabbage, is rich in nutrients, balances the pH of our body.

Except that some people may not like its flavor. 

To add a spark to the dish,  add garlic, green peas/ channa dhal and coconut.

My friend eats raw cabbage ( white or purple) with a zest of lemon juice added. I have tried and liked the crunchy taste. I prefer to have raw cabbage with pineapple chunks and red capsicum slices.

From what I have read and known, cabbage retains its fiber-related component when steamed and it loses its nutrient when boiled or overcooked.

So always make sure it is not overcooked even while steaming.

Green peas or the channa dhal compliments the dish with its protein value. 

You can also toss in a handful of boiled corn kernels.

The variations add colour to the colorful vegetable. Kids may like to give a try if presented this way.

Today, I made both the versions as per the preferred choices of my family members.

This vegetable is a good combination for  vatha kuzhambu / sambar and rice.